Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 1/24/2007

**GAIN Report Number:** E40006

E40006

**EU-27**

**Fishery Products**

**Annual Report - EU Policy & Statistics**

**2007**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Debra Henke

USEU

**Prepared by:**

Hilde Brans

**Report Highlights:**

This report gives an overview of the current situation in the EU fishery
sector, provides information on the EU\'s import requirements and
statistical data on EU fish catches, aquaculture, and imports and
exports.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Brussels USEU \[BE2\]

\[E4\]

#  

[EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3](#executive-summary)

[SECTION I: SITUATION AND OUTLOOK 3](#section-i-situation-and-outlook)

[PRODUCTION -- GENERAL 3](#production-general)

[EU FISH CATCHES 3](#eu-fish-catches)

[AQUACULTURE 5](#aquaculture)

[AQUACULTURE -- EU FINANCIAL SUPPORT
7](#aquaculture-eu-financial-support)

[AQUACULTURE -- INTRODUCTION OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES
7](#aquaculture-introduction-of-non-native-species)

[AQUACULTURE -- HEALTH OF FARMED FISH AND SHELLFISH
8](#aquaculture-health-of-farmed-fish-and-shellfish)

[PRODUCTION POLICY 8](#production-policy)

[COMMON FISHERIES POLICY 8](#common-fisheries-policy)

[TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCHES (TACs) FOR 2007
8](#total-allowable-catches-tacs-for-2007)

[BALTIC SEA FISH TACs 9](#baltic-sea-fish-tacs)

[DEEP-SEA FISH TACs 9](#deep-sea-fish-tacs)

[RECOVERY PLANS 9](#recovery-plans)

[NEW EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUND 10](#new-european-fisheries-fund)

[TRADE AGREEMENTS 11](#trade-agreements)

[IMPORT POLICY 11](#import-policy)

[U.S. EXPORTS TO THE EU 11](#u.s.-exports-to-the-eu)

[CONTAMINANTS 12](#contaminants)

[IMPORT DUTIES & QUOTAS 12](#import-duties-quotas)

[TARIFFS 12](#tariffs)

[QUOTAS 12](#quotas)

[MARKETING 13](#marketing)

[LABELING 13](#labeling)

[ALLERGEN LABELING 13](#allergen-labeling)

[ECO-LABELING 14](#eco-labeling)

[CONSUMPTION 14](#consumption)

[TRADE - GENERAL 14](#trade---general)

[TRADE -- EU/WORLD 14](#trade-euworld)

[TRADE -- EU/US 15](#trade-euus)

[SECTION II: STATISTICAL TABLES 19](#section-ii-statistical-tables)

[GLOSSARY & SOURCES 23](#glossary-sources)

#   {#section-1 .unnumbered}

# EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In CY 2005, total EU imports of fish, crustaceans and mollusks amounted
to 4.4 million MT, a 5% increase in terms of volume compared to 2004. As
a result of the near depletion of certain EU fishery stocks and the
reduced annual catch quotas, the EU is becoming increasingly dependent
on imports from third countries for its processing industry. In CY 2005,
non-processed fishery products accounted for 84% of total EU imports of
fish and fishery products.

In terms of volume, 5.4% of total CY 2005 EU imports of fish,
crustaceans and mollusks came from the United States (5.8% in CY 2004).
The EU imported 240,615 MT of fish and fishery products from the United
States, with a value of EUR 669 million. "Fish fillets and other fish
meat" (HS code 0304) accounted for 25% of total EU imports. The U.S.
market share in this particular category is 12%.

In March 2006, the EU published [Commission Decision
2006/199/EC](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_071/l_07120060310en00170049.pdf),
laying down specific conditions for imports of fishery products from the
United States. Annex I to Decision 2006/199/EC establishes the model
health certificate that U.S. exporters have to use for fishery products;
Annex II lists the establishments that have been approved for export to
the EU. This decision will facilitate trade between the United States
and the EU.

Also in March 2006, the EU published [Council Regulation
711/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_124/l_12420060511en00010007.pdf),
which establishes amended duty rates and new quotas for certain products
to compensate the United States for tariff increases that the EU
implemented as a result of enlargement. The EU agreed to permanently
reduce the tariffs on frozen fillets of hake (6.1% instead of 7.5%),
frozen fillets of Alaska Pollack (14.2% instead of 15%) and surimi
(14.2% instead of 15%).

# SECTION I: SITUATION AND OUTLOOK

# PRODUCTION -- GENERAL

### EU FISH CATCHES

In 2004, the EU-25 catch was 5.9 million MT, 6.2% of the world total.
The Northeast Atlantic fishing region is of major importance with 72% of
the EU-25 catches coming from this region. Denmark and Spain are the
main contributors to the EU-25 catch. The 10 new member states only
accounted for 9.8% of the EU-25 total catch. As a result of unsafe
biological stock levels, catch limits are in place for several species
such as anchovy, sandeel, herring, blue whiting, cod and sole.

+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| **EU Fish Catches - in    |            |            |               |
| 1,000 MT live weight**    |            |            |               |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
|                           | **2003**   | **2004**   | **2005**      |
|                           |            |            |               |
|                           |            |            | **(P          |
|                           |            |            | rovisional)** |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Belgium                   | 27         | 27         | 24            |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Denmark                   | 1 031      | 1 090      | 911           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Germany                   | 261        | 262        | 286           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Greece                    | 92         | 93         | 90            |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Spain                     | 898        | 854        | 758           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Finland                   | 122        | 135        | 132           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| France                    | 709        | 669        | 586           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Ireland                   | 266        | 280        | \*            |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Italy                     | 283        | 279        | 294           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Netherlands               | 526        | 522        | 547           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Austria                   | 0          | 0          | 0             |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Portugal                  | 214        | 221        | 212           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Sweden                    | 287        | 270        | 255           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| U.K.                      | 640        | 655        | 667           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| **Total EU-15**           | **5 369**  | **5 357**  | **4 762**     |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Czech Rep.                | 5          | 5          | 4             |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Estonia                   | 79         | 88         | 100           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Cyprus                    | 2          | 2          | 2             |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Latvia                    | 115        | 125        | 151           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Lithuania                 | 157        | 162        | 138           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Hungary                   | 7          | 7          | \*            |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Malta                     | 1          | 1          | 1             |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Poland                    | 180        | 192        | 131           |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Slovenia                  | 1          | 1          | 1             |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| Slovak Rep.               | 2          | 2          | 3             |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+
| **Total EU-25**           | **5 918**  | **5 941**  | **5 293**     |
+---------------------------+------------+------------+---------------+

Source: Eurostat - \* 2005 data are not yet available for Ireland and
Hungary

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  **Distribution of EU                            
  catches by major                                
  fishing zones,                                  
  2003-2004 - 1,000 MT                            
  live weight**                                   

  **FAO Region**          **2003 (EU-25)**        **2004 (EU-25)**

  Northwest Atlantic      96                      68

  Northeast Atlantic      4173                    4291

  Eastern Central         575                     571

  Mediterranean & Black   502                     480
  Sea                                             

  Southwest Atlantic      37                      47

  Southeast Atlantic      22                      18

  Indian Ocean, West      315                     282

  Inland waters           125                     121

  **Total EU-25**         **5918**                **5941**
  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

Source: Eurostat

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  **Catches of principal                          
  species by the EU-25,                           
  2003-2004, in 1000 MT                           
  live weight**                                   

                          **2003**                **2004**

  Common sole             36                      35

  European plaice         83                      78

  Cod                     141                     151

  Norway pout             23                      14

  Haddock                 63                      63

  Blue whiting            338                     380

  Whiting                 35                      29

  European hake           58                      60

  Ling                    19                      13

  Saithe                  56                      51

  Sandeel                 307                     338

  Atlantic redfish        57                      36

  Angler                  19                      18

  Atlantic horse mackerel 176                     182

  Atlantic herring        673                     737

  European pilchard       245                     258

  European anchovy        115                     144

  European sprat          536                     608

  Skipjack tuna           222                     182

  Yellowfin tuna          210                     250

  Albacore                28                      18

  Swordfish               32                      31

  Atlantic mackerel       396                     370

  Norway lobster          54                      56

  Edible crab             40                      40

  Common shrimps          36                      39

  Blue mussel             96                      112

  Mediterranean mussel    43                      35

  Striped venus           45                      42

  sub-total               4184                    4370

  all others              1729                    1571

  **Total catches**       **5913**                **5941**
  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

Source: Eurostat

### AQUACULTURE

In 2004, the EU-25 aquaculture sector represented 18.8% of the total
fisheries production. The main activities in EU aquaculture are sea fish
farming, marine shellfish farming and fish farming in fresh water. In
2004, 45% of the total EU-25 aquaculture production was of fish and 55%
of mollusks. 78% of aquaculture species were produced in marine waters:
63% from the Atlantic and 15% from the Mediterranean. Inland waters
accounted for 22% of the production.

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **TOTAL AQUACULTURE   |                       |                       |
| PRODUCTION BY MEMBER  |                       |                       |
| STATE**               |                       |                       |
|                       |                       |                       |
| **(Metric Tons)**     |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
|                       | **CY 2003**           | **CY 2004**           |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Belgium               | 1 010                 | 1 200                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Denmark               | 32 187                | 42 252                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Germany               | 74 280                | 57 233                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Greece                | 101 209               | 97 068                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Spain                 | 313 288               | 363 181               |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| France                | 245 846               | 243 907               |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Ireland               | 62 516                | 58 359                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Italy                 | 191 662               | 117 786               |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Netherlands           | 67 025                | 78 925                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Austria               | 2 233                 | 2 267                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Portugal              | 7 829                 | 6 700                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Finland               | 13 335                | 12 821                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Sweden                | 6 334                 | 5 989                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| United Kingdom        | 181 837               | 207 203               |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Total EU-15**       | **1 300 591**         | **1 294 891**         |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Czech Rep.            | 19 670                | 19 384                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Estonia               | 372                   | 252                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Cyprus                | 1 821                 | 2 425                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Latvia                | 637                   | 545                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Lithuania             | 2 356                 | 2 697                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Hungary               | 11 870                | 12 744                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Malta                 | 881                   | 868                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Poland                | 34 526                | 35 258                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Slovenia              | 1 353                 | 1 599                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Slovak Rep.           | 881                   | 1 180                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **EU-25**             | **1 374 958**         | **1 317 813**         |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

Source: Eurostat

In 2004, aquaculture in the EU-15 represented 95% of total EU-25
production, with Spain (26%), France (18%), U.K. (15%) and Italy (9%)
being the major contributors. Main species produced in the EU-25 are
mussels and oysters, salmon, rainbow trout, seabream and common carp.
Over 99% of the aquaculture production in the 10 new member states is of
fish, mainly carp and trout.

+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| **EU-25 AQUACULTURE         |                                        |
| PRODUCTION - MAJOR          |                                        |
| SPECIES**                   |                                        |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Belgium                     | Rainbow trout and common carp          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Czech Republic              | Common carp and bighead carp           |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Denmark                     | Rainbow trout and European eel         |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Germany                     | Rainbow trout and common carp          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Estonia                     | Rainbow trout and common carp          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Greece                      | Gilthead seabream and Mediterranean    |
|                             | mussel                                 |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Spain                       | Blue mussel and rainbow trout          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| France                      | Pacific cupped oyster and blue mussel  |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Ireland                     | Blue mussel and Atlantic salmon        |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Italy                       | Mediterranean mussel and rainbow trout |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Cyprus                      | Gilthead seabream and European seabass |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Latvia                      | Common carp                            |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Lithuania                   | Common carp                            |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Hungary                     | Common carp and silver carp            |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Malta                       | Gilthead seabream and European seabass |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Netherlands                 | Blue mussel and European eel           |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Austria                     | Rainbow trout and common carp          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Poland                      | Common carp and rainbow trout          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Portugal                    | Grooved carpet shell and gilthead      |
|                             | seabream                               |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Slovenia                    | Rainbow trout and common carp          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Slovakia                    | Rainbow trout and common carp          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Finland                     | Rainbow trout and European whitefish   |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Sweden                      | Rainbow trout and blue mussel          |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| U.K.                        | Atlantic salmon and blue mussel        |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| **EU-10**                   | **Common carp: 62% of total            |
|                             | production**                           |
|                             |                                        |
|                             | **Rainbow trout: 23% of total          |
|                             | production**                           |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| **EU-15**                   | **Blue mussel: 39% of total            |
|                             | production**                           |
|                             |                                        |
|                             | **Rainbow trout: 15% of total          |
|                             | production**                           |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| **EU-25**                   | **Blue mussel: 36% of total            |
|                             | production**                           |
|                             |                                        |
|                             | **Rainbow trout: 16% of total          |
|                             | production**                           |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+

Source: Eurostat

### AQUACULTURE -- EU FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fisheries and
aquaculture products is one of the five target priority areas of the new
European Fisheries Fund for the period 2007-2013. The following measures
in aquaculture production will be eligible for EU financial support:

\- [Productive investments in aquaculture]{.underline}: diversification
towards new species, production of species with good market prospects,
support to traditional aquaculture, purchase of equipment to protect
farms from natural predators.

\- [Aqua-environmental measures]{.underline}: environmentally friendly
farming, participation in the EU's voluntary Eco-Management and Audit
Scheme (EMAS), and organic farming.

\- [Public health measures]{.underline}: compensation to mollusk farmers
in cases of certain contaminations.

\- [Animal health measures]{.underline}: aid for control and eradication
of diseases.

### AQUACULTURE -- INTRODUCTION OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES

In April 2006, the European Commission tabled a [proposal to regulate
the introduction of non-native species in
aquaculture](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2006/com2006_0154en01.pdf)
through a permit system at national level. A large portion of current EU
aquaculture practices is based on non-native or alien species such as
rainbow trout, Pacific oyster or carp. As aquaculture is a fast-growing
industry where innovation and new outlets are being explored, it is very
likely that new species will continue to be introduced in order to
satisfy the needs of the market. However, in some cases, the
introduction of alien species can have an adverse effect on ecosystems
and cause significant loss of biodiversity. Under the proposed new
rules, all projects to introduce an alien species would have to be
submitted for approval to a national advisory committee, which would
determine whether the proposed introduction was "routine" or
"non-routine." In the case of "non-routine" introductions, an
environmental risk assessment would have to be carried out. Only
low-risk introductions would be granted a permit. For medium or
high-risk introductions, operators would need to prove the availability
of adequate mitigation procedures or technologies, which could reduce
the risk to an adequately low level. The proposal also sets out a number
of requirements concerning contingency plans, monitoring procedures and
the keeping of national registers. The proposal was notified to the WTO
(notification G/TBT/N/EEC/110) on June 2, 2006.

### AQUACULTURE -- HEALTH OF FARMED FISH AND SHELLFISH

In October 2006, the Council adopted new rules - [Directive
2006/88/EC](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_328/l_32820061124en00140056.pdf)
-- on the health of farmed fish and shellfish and disease control in the
aquaculture sector. The new directive repeals the rules that were
previously laid down in three different directives (91/67/EEC, 93/53/EEC
and 95/70/EC) and introduces a series of new measures, including more
emphasis on disease prevention by applying stricter controls at each
point in the production chain. Chapter IV of Directive 2006/88/EC sets
the general requirements for the introduction of aquaculture animals
into the EU from third countries. An animal health certificate must
accompany all consignments of aquaculture animals, and products thereof.

# PRODUCTION POLICY

## COMMON FISHERIES POLICY 

In December 2005, the European Commission launched its 3-year "Action
Plan 2006-2008" to simplify the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Two areas
of priority were established: stock conservation policy and control of
fishing activities. For details on the CFP, see GAIN reports
[E24009](http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200401/146105180.pdf) and
[E36013](http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200602/146176727.pdf).

### TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCHES (TACs) FOR 2007

Each year in December, the Council has to reach agreement on the
Commission's proposal for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for
the next year. In this yearly exercise, the Commission tries to balance
the need to rebuild depleted stocks with social-economic needs. The
Commission proposal takes into account the scientific advice form the
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the
Commission's own Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on
Fisheries (STECF), as well as input from stakeholders. However, the
final compromise reached at the Council is never as drastic as
recommended, which triggers severe criticism from environmental groups.

For 2007, TACs for cod stocks will be cut by 20% in the west of Scotland
and the Celtic Sea, and 15% for other stocks covered by a recovery plan.
The cod catch in the North Sea will be cut by only 14% and not by 25% as
originally proposed by the Commission. The number of days that vessels
may spend at sea will be reduced by between 7% and 10% depending on the
net mesh size. This deal was reached despite ICES' advice to completely
ban cod catches and a cod recovery plan that has not yet produced the
expected improvements. The Commission is proposing a review of the cod
recovery plan in 2007.

With a proposed zero TAC, the anchovy fishery would in theory be closed.
However, the Council agreed to allow an "experimental" fishing scheme
between April 15 and June 15, 2007, on condition that scientific
observers are allowed on board the vessels to gather data on anchovy
stocks. Following the results of the experimental fishing scheme and new
advice from ICES, the Commission will decide whether or not to re-open
the fishery for anchovy.

Although recovery plans have been established for northern hake and sole
in the Bay of Biscay and despite scientific advice to keep the TACs at
2006 levels, the TAC for northern hake has been increased by 20 % and by
12% for sole.

Recovery plans also exist for southern hake and Nephrops. As provided
for in these plans, TACs will be cut by 8% and days allowed at sea will
be cut by 10%. The Commission's proposal for long-term management plans
for North Sea sole and North Sea plaice were not adopted at the December
Council. However, the TAC for North Sea sole has been cut by 15% and by
12.5% for North Sea plaice.

The TAC for ling, skates and rays has been reduced by 20% and a number
of TACs will remain at their 2006 levels, including megrims, horse
mackerel, anglerfish, turbot, brill, lemon sole and witch.

The TACs agreed at the December Council were published in Official
Journal L 15 of January 20, 2007 ([Council Regulation
41/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2007/l_015/l_01520070120en00010213.pdf)).

### BALTIC SEA FISH TACs

TACs for the Baltic Sea were already adopted by the Council in October.
Cod quotas will be reduced by 10% for the eastern stock and by 6% for
the western stock. These reductions have been set on condition that
agreement will be reached on a long-term cod recovery plan by June 30,
2007. If such an agreement is not reached by that date, the reductions
will automatically increase to 15% for both stocks. Days allowed at sea
have been further reduced by 10%.

The quota for salmon has been cut by 5%, the quota for plaice will
remain at 2006 level. The TAC for sprat has been increased by 8%.

The TACs for the Baltic Sea were published in Official Journal L 367 of
December 22, 2006 ([Council Regulation
1941/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_367/l_36720061222en00010017.pdf)).

### DEEP-SEA FISH TACs

Deep-sea species such as sharks, black scabbardfish, tusk and forkbeards
grow slowly and reproduce late which makes them particularly vulnerable
to over-fishing. Due to the high risk of collapse of the deep-sea
ecosystems, the Commission proposed significant cuts in TACs of 33% in
2007 and a further 33% in 2008 for the most endangered stocks. However,
the cuts in TACS adopted at the November Council were not as drastic as
proposed: TAC cuts of 25% in 2007 and 2008 were agreed for deep-sea
sharks and orange roughy with the fishery phased out over 4 years, of
21% in 2007 and 2008 for blue ling and of 15% for roundnose grenadier.

The TACs for deep-sea fish stocks for 2007 and 2008 were published in
Official Journal L 384 of December 29, 2006 ([Council Regulation
2015/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_384/l_38420061229en00280037.pdf)).

### RECOVERY PLANS

There are two types of multi-annual plans: recovery plans to help
rebuild stocks that are in danger of collapse and management plans to
maintain stocks at safe biological levels. Recovery plans contain
formulas for calculating annual TACs and quotas based on scientific
stock estimates. The following plans have been adopted/proposed:

\- Multi-annual plan for sole in the Bay of Biscay ([Council Regulation
388/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_065/l_06520060307en00010004.pdf))

\- Recovery plan for Southern hake and Norway lobster in the Cantabrian
Sea and Western Iberian peninsula ([Council Regulation
2166/2005](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_345/l_34520051228en00050010.pdf))

\- Recovery plan for Greenland halibut in the framework of the Northwest
Atlantic Fisheries Organization ([Council Regulation
2115/2005](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_340/l_34020051223en00030006.pdf))

\- Recovery plan for Northern hake ([Council Regulation
811/2004](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_150/l_15020040430en00010011.pdf))

\- Recovery plan for cod in the North Sea, Kattegat, Skagerrak, Eastern
Channel, west of Scotland and Irish Sea ([Council Regulation
423/2004](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_070/l_07020040309en00080011.pdf))

\- Multi-annual plan for cod stocks in the Baltic Sea
([proposal](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2006/com2006_0411en01.pdf))

\- Management plan for plaice and sole in the North Sea
([proposal](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2005/com2005_0714en01.pdf))

\- Recovery plan for European eel
([proposal](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2005/com2005_0472en01.pdf))

## NEW EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUND

In June 2006, the Council adopted the Commission's proposal for a new
European Fisheries Fund (EFF). The EFF, published as [Council Regulation
1198/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_223/l_22320060815en00010044.pdf),
replaces the former Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG)
as the EU's key instrument for financial support to the fisheries
sector. The EFF covers the period January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2013,
with a budget of EUR 3.849 billion. The EU's less developed areas, the
so-called convergence regions, have been allocated the biggest shares of
the EFF.

The new EFF will target five priority areas:

\- Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet to available sources

\- Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fisheries
and aquaculture products

\- Measures of collective benefit

\- Sustainable development of fisheries areas

\- Technical assistance to facilitate the delivery of EFF aid

Allocation of EFF aid from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2013, is as
follows (in EUR):

  ----------------- ----------------- --------------------- -----------------
  **Member State**  **Convergence**   **Non-convergence**   **Total**

  Austria           167 228           4 500 253             4 667 481

  Belgium                             23 301 312            23 301 312

  Cyprus                              17 500 989            17 500 989

  Czech Republic    24 003 691                              24 003 691

  Denmark                             118 606 682           118 606 682

  Estonia           74 632 182                              74 632 182

  Finland                             35 001 972            35 001 972

  France            30 389 485        161 309 090           191 698 575

  Germany           86 073 715        52 352 951            138 426 666

  Greece            157 293 830       27 501 551            184 795 381

  Hungary           30 399 339        496 000               30 895 339

  Ireland                             37 502 115            37 502 115

  Italy             282 489 352       94 105 302            376 594 654

  Latvia            110 369 814                             110 369 814

  Lithuania         48 418 135                              48 418 135

  Malta             7 435 476                               7 435 476

  Netherlands                         43 102 430            43 102 430

  Poland            651 791 012                             651 791 012

  Portugal          198 766 492       20 001 128            218 767 620

  Slovakia          11 242 552        892 801               12 135 353

  Slovenia          19 330 990                              19 330 990

  Spain             840 215 806       165 209 310           1 005 425 116

  Sweden                              48 502 732            48 502 732

  United Kingdom    38 335 019        84 004 734            122 339 753

  **Total**         **2 611 354 118** **933 891 352**       **3 545 245 470**
  ----------------- ----------------- --------------------- -----------------

Source: European Commission

## TRADE AGREEMENTS

Bilateral fisheries agreements between the EU and third countries
establish the general framework for the access of EU fleets to the
waters of these countries. Each agreement includes a "Protocol" which
lays down the specific conditions for its implementation. The type of
agreement varies in terms of the partner country. Reciprocity agreements
are usually concluded with Northern European countries and take the form
of a straightforward exchange of fishing quotas in their respective
waters. With other countries (African, Indian Ocean and Greenland),
which do not fully exploit their fishery resources, the EU concludes
partnership agreements. Under such agreements, the EU pays a financial
contribution to access the third country's fishing zone. Vessel owners
wishing to operate within the framework of these agreements have to pay
a contribution.

Agreements have been concluded with Cape Verde, Comoros, Ivory Coast,
Greenland, Guinea, Mauritania, Micronesia, Morocco, Seychelles, Solomon
Islands, Norway, Faroe Islands and Iceland.

# IMPORT POLICY

In January 2006, the EU's new food hygiene rules entered into force.
General hygiene rules are established for the production of all food but
specific rules exist for bivalve mollusks and fishery products. Detailed
information on the EU's hygiene rules is available on our website at
<http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/foodsafe.html>.

## U.S. EXPORTS TO THE EU

In the context of the Veterinary Equivalency Agreement, the EU published
[Commission Decision
2006/199/EC](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_071/l_07120060310en00170049.pdf),
laying down specific conditions for imports of fishery products from the
United States. Annex I to Decision 2006/199/EC establishes the model
health certificate that U.S. exporters have to use for fishery products;
Annex II lists the establishments that have been approved for export to
the EU. This decision will facilitate trade between the United States
and the EU, as imports of U.S. fishery products are no longer restricted
to the member state of "first port of entry". Products can now be
marketed throughout the EU and member states no longer have the
possibility to impose national requirements in addition to EU
requirements.

Specific EU import conditions have **not** yet been set for imports of
live bivalve mollusks from the United States which means that
certification requirements set by [Commission Decision
2003/804/EC](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/consleg/2003/D/02003D0804-20050602-en.pdf),
amended by [Commission Decision
2005/409/EC](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_139/l_13920050602en00160018.pdf),
still apply. In addition to the requirements set by EU legislation,
member states can impose additional requirements.

In the United States, both the Food and Drug Administration and National
Marine Fisheries Service have the authority to issue certificates for
export to the EU. For more information on EU certification requirements,
please contact:

\- Food and Drug Administration

Office of Seafood

Tel: 301-436-2300

<http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sfeuexp.html>

\- Stephane Vrignaud

National Marine Fisheries Service Representative

U.S. Mission to the EU, Brussels, Belgium

Tel: 32-2-508-2842

E-mail: <Stephane.Vrignaud@mail.doc.gov>

## CONTAMINANTS

[Commission Regulation
1881/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_364/l_36420061220en00050024.pdf),
applicable as of March 1, 2007, sets out new maximum levels for lead,
cadmium, mercury and dioxins in fishery products. For more information
see our website <http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/contaminants.html>

The monitoring of residues of veterinary drugs and other chemicals in
animals and animal products is addressed in Council Directive 96/23/EC.
In order to export to the EU, third countries must submit
residue-monitoring plans. For aquaculture, the United States is included
in the list established by [Commission Decision
2006/208/EC](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_075/l_07520060314en00200025.pdf)
on the approval of reside-monitoring plans submitted by third countries.

# IMPORT DUTIES & QUOTAS

## TARIFFS

EU import duties for fish and process fish products are published in the
EU's Tariff Schedule. Tariffs applicable as of January 1, 2007, can be
found in Official Journal L 301 of October 31, 2006, and can be accessed
through our website at <http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/customs.html>.
Chapter 3 of the EU Tariff Schedule relates to fresh, chilled and frozen
fish; chapter 16 to processed fish products.

In March 2006, the EU published [Council Regulation
711/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_124/l_12420060511en00010007.pdf),
which establishes amended duty rates and new quotas for certain products
to compensate the United States for tariff increases that the EU
implemented as a result of enlargement. The EU agreed to permanently
reduce the tariffs on frozen fillets of hake (6.1% instead of 7.5%),
frozen fillets of Alaska Pollack (14.2% instead of 15%) and surimi
(14.2% instead of 15%).

## QUOTAS

Council Regulation 1255/96, amended by Council Regulation 1897/2006,
temporarily suspends the tariff duties on certain industrial,
agricultural and fishery products, which cannot adequately be supplied
by EU producers. Due to the EU's strong dependency on imports of fresh
products and raw materials for its fisheries processing industry,
[Council Regulation
1897/2006](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_395/l_39520061230en00010094.pdf)
suspends import duties on the following products for the period
2007-2008:

+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| **CN      | **Description**                                          |
| Code**    |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 0302 69   | Sturgeons, fresh, chilled or frozen, for processing      |
| 99        |                                                          |
|           |                                                          |
| 0302 79   |                                                          |
| 98        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 0302 69   | Lump fish with roe, fresh or chilled, for processing     |
| 99        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 0302 69   | Red Snapper, fresh chilled or frozen, for processing     |
| 99        |                                                          |
|           |                                                          |
| 0302 79   |                                                          |
| 98        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 0302 70   | Hard fish roes, fresh, chilled or frozen                 |
| 00        |                                                          |
|           |                                                          |
| 0302 80   |                                                          |
| 90        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 0303 11   | Pacific salmon, frozen and headless, for the processing  |
| 00        | industry for manufacture into pastes or spreads          |
|           |                                                          |
| 0303 19   |                                                          |
| 00        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 0304 19   | Fillets and meat of dogfish, fresh, chilled or frozen    |
| 39        |                                                          |
|           |                                                          |
| 0304 19   |                                                          |
| 99        |                                                          |
|           |                                                          |
| 0304 29   |                                                          |
| 61        |                                                          |
|           |                                                          |
| 0304 99   |                                                          |
| 99        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 0305 20   | Hard fish roes, salted or in brine                       |
| 00        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 0306 19   | Krill for processing                                     |
| 90        |                                                          |
|           |                                                          |
| 0306 29   |                                                          |
| 90        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 1604 11   | Pacific salmon, for the processing industry for          |
| 00        | manufacture into pastes or spreads                       |
|           |                                                          |
| 1604 20   |                                                          |
| 10        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 1604 30   | Hard fish roes, washed, cleaned of adherent organs and   |
| 90        | simply salted or in brine, for processing                |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 1605 10   | Crabs of the species "King", "Hansaki", "Kengani",       |
| 00        | "Queen" and "Snow", "Red", "Rough Stone", "Mud", simply  |
|           | boiled in water and shelled, whether or not frozen, in   |
|           | immediate packings of a net content of 2 kg or more      |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+
| 1605 10   | Crabs of the species Paralomis granulosa                 |
| 00        |                                                          |
+-----------+----------------------------------------------------------+

Under the Uruguay Round Agreement, the EU agreed to open tariff quotas
for certain commodities. The table below shows the WTO quotas for fish,
as published in Annex 7 to the EU's 2007 Tariff Schedule:

  ------------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------
  **Description**                 **Quota Quantity (MT)** **Rate of Duty
                                                          (%)**

  Tunas (for the canning          17 250                  0
  industry)                                               

  Herrings                        34 000                  0

  Silver hake                     2 000                   8

  Fish of the genus Coregonus     1 000                   5.5

  Fish of the genus Allocyttus    200                     0
  and of the species Pseudocyttus                         
  maculates                                               

  Cod of the species Gadus morhua 25 000                  0
  and Gadus ogac                                          

  Shrimps of the species Pandalus 500                     0
  borealis, shelled, boiled,                              
  frozen, but not further                                 
  processed                                               
  ------------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------

# MARKETING

## LABELING

### ALLERGEN LABELING

[Directive
2003/89/EC](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2003/l_308/l_30820031125en00150018.pdf),
in force since November 2005, makes the labeling of potential allergens
mandatory. The list of 12 groups of potential established by this
directive includes "fish and products thereof" and "crustaceans and
products thereof". Food manufacturers must indicate the source allergen
on the label if it is used as an ingredient at any level in pre-packed
foods. [Directive
2006/142/EC](http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_368/l_36820061223en01100111.pdf)
(applicable as of December 2008) adds "mollusks and products thereof" to
the list of potential allergens. More information on food labeling can
be found on our website at <http://useu.usmission.gov/agr/label.html>.

### ECO-LABELING

With supermarket chains and trading companies becoming increasingly
interested in food products that are labeled as environmentally
responsible, there has been a proliferation of private eco-labeling
initiatives. In June 2005, the European Commission presented a
"Communication" with the objective to launch a debate on the
eco-labeling of fishery products. Three possible options were presented:
non-action, creating a single EU eco-labeling scheme or establishing
minimum requirements for voluntary eco-labeling schemes. In June 2006,
the European Parliament released a report on the Commission's
communication in which it heavily criticizes "the poor analysis and
limited content". According to the EP's report, the wording used in the
communication implies that the Commission is rejecting in advance the
establishment of a single EU eco-labeling scheme. No further progress
has been reported.

## CONSUMPTION

No updated EU figures available.

# TRADE - GENERAL

The EU has a major trade deficit in fish and fishery products. In CY
2005, EU imports of fish, crustaceans and mollusks totaled EUR 13.6
billion while exports totaled EUR 2.1 billion, a trade deficit of EUR
11.5 billion. In terms of volume, the EU imported 4.4 million MT of fish
and fishery products and exported 1.7 million MT, a deficit of 2.7
million MT. Norway is the main supplier of fish and fishery products to
the EU, accounting for 16.8% of total EU imports in terms of value. The
other major suppliers, ranked in descending order of importance, were
Iceland, China, United States, Morocco, Thailand, Chile, Ecuador,
Argentina and India.

## TRADE -- EU/WORLD

In CY 2005, total EU imports of fish, crustaceans and mollusks amounted
to 4.4 million MT, a 5% increase in terms of volume compared to 2004. As
a result of the near depletion of certain EU fishery stocks and the
reduced annual TACs, the EU is becoming increasingly dependent on
imports from third countries for its processing industry. In CY 2005,
84% of total EU imports were non-processed fishery products. "Fish
fillets and other fish meat" (HS code 0304) accounted for 25% of total
EU imports. The U.S. market share in this particular category is 12%.

Spain accounts for 22% of total EU imports, mainly importing
crustaceans, mollusks and frozen fish. Other major importing states are
United Kingdom (12%) mainly importing prepared fish, Denmark (12%)
mainly importing fresh or chilled fish, Germany (10%) mainly importing
fish fillets and Italy (9%) mainly importing mollusks and prepared fish.

  ------------ ------------------------ ----------------- ----------------
  **TOTAL                                                 
  EU-25                                                   
  IMPORTS, BY                                             
  HS-CODE, CY                                             
  2005**                                                  

  **HS Code**  **Description**          **Metric Tons**   **1000 EUR**

  0302         Fresh or chilled fish    687 032           1 992 416

  0303         Frozen fish              581 189           1 121 874

  0304         Fish fillets & other     1 127 876         3 277 510
               fish meat                                  

  0305         Dried & salted fish      165 441           801 443

  0306         Crustaceans              468 828           2 392 894

  0307         Mollusks                 582 923           1 562 555

  1604         Prepared or preserved    675 539           1 700 301
               fish                                       

  1605         Prepared or preserved    159 553           753 376
               crustaceans & mollusks                     

  **Total**                             **4 449 084**     **13 602 368**
  ------------ ------------------------ ----------------- ----------------

Source: Eurostat

![](media/image2.wmf)

## TRADE -- EU/US

In terms of volume, 5.4% of total CY 2005 EU imports of fish,
crustaceans and mollusks came from the United States (5.8% in CY 2004).
The EU imported 240,615 MT of fish and fishery products from the United
States, with a value of EUR 669 million. With 12% market share, products
under HS heading 0304 "fish fillets and other fish meat" are the most
significant. Imports under this heading mainly consist of frozen fillets
and meat of Alaska Pollack going to Germany, France, United Kingdom and
the Netherlands.

  ----------- ----------------------- ----------------- ------------ ---------
  **U.S.                                                             
  MARKET                                                             
  SHARE OF                                                           
  TOTAL EU-25                                                        
  IMPORTS, CY                                                        
  2005 --                                                            
  Metric                                                             
  Tons**                                                             

  **HS Code** **Description**         **Imports from    **Imports    **%
                                      all third         from U.S.**  Share**
                                      countries**                    

  0302        Fresh or chilled fish   687 032           4 117        0.5

  0303        Frozen fish             581 189           51 086       8.8

  0304        Fish fillets & other    1 127 876         136 266      12
              fish meat                                              

  0305        Dried & salted fish     165 441           3 237        2

  0306        Crustaceans             468 828           7 713        1.6

  0307        Mollusks                582 923           17 538       3

  1604        Prepared or preserved   675 539           20 275       3
              fish                                                   

  1605        Prepared or preserved   159 553           284          0.2
              crustaceans & mollusks                                 

  **Total**                           **4 449 084**     **240 615**  **5.4**
  ----------- ----------------------- ----------------- ------------ ---------

Source: Eurostat

![](media/image3.wmf)

![](media/image4.wmf)

In CY 2005, the main importers of U.S. fishery products were Germany
(26% of total EU imports from the U.S.), France (16.3%), United Kingdom
(13%), Netherlands (12%) and Spain (9%).

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **EU-25 IMPORTS OF U.S. FISHERY   |                                   |
| PRODUCTS, BY MEMBER STATE**       |                                   |
|                                   |                                   |
| **CY 2005 -- Metric Tons**        |                                   |
|                                   |                                   |
| **HS Chapters 0302 + 0303 +       |                                   |
| 0304 + 0305 + 0306 + 0307 +       |                                   |
| 1604 + 1605**                     |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Germany                           | 63 128                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| France                            | 39 170                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| United Kingdom                    | 31 919                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Netherlands                       | 28 437                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Spain                             | 20 337                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Portugal                          | 18 401                            |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Denmark                           | 7 937                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Italy                             | 6 743                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Lithuania                         | 6 689                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Poland                            | 4 592                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Belgium                           | 4 227                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Sweden                            | 3 167                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Greece                            | 2 261                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Czech Republic                    | 1 584                             |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Slovakia                          | 844                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Ireland                           | 425                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Estonia                           | 399                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Latvia                            | 213                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Austria                           | 43                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Malta                             | 36                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Slovenia                          | 28                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Cyprus                            | 18                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Finland                           | 16                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Hungary                           | \-                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Luxembourg                        | \-                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **EU-25**                         | **240 615**                       |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Source: Eurostat

+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| **MAIN U.S. FISH &     |          |          |          |           |
| FISHERY PRODUCTS**     |          |          |          |           |
|                        |          |          |          |           |
| **BY MAJOR IMPORTING   |          |          |          |           |
| EU MEMBER STATES -- CY |          |          |          |           |
| 2005**                 |          |          |          |           |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| **Product**            | **CN     | **Member | **Volume | **Value** |
|                        | Code**   | State**  | (MT)**   |           |
|                        |          |          |          | **(1,000  |
|                        |          |          |          | EUR)**    |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| Frozen fillets of      | 03042085 | Germany  | 46 931   | 89 504    |
| Alaska Pollack         |          |          |          |           |
|                        |          | Net      | 15 930   | 32 115    |
|                        |          | herlands |          |           |
|                        |          |          | 9 772    | 19 002    |
|                        |          | France   |          |           |
|                        |          |          | 9 049    | 19 196    |
|                        |          | U.K.     |          |           |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| Live lobsters          | 03062210 | Italy    | 2 877    | 38 965    |
|                        |          |          |          |           |
|                        |          | France   | 1 693    | 21 740    |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| Frozen cod             | 03036090 | Portugal | 13 234   | 30 783    |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| Frozen salmon          | 03031900 | Germany  | 4 069    | 8 998     |
|                        |          |          |          |           |
|                        |          | France   | 3 917    | 7 680     |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| Frozen surimi          | 03049005 | France   | 6 606    | 10 304    |
|                        |          |          |          |           |
|                        |          | Spain    | 3 732    | 7 666     |
|                        |          |          |          |           |
|                        |          | Net      | 3 207    | 4 608     |
|                        |          | herlands |          |           |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| Fish meat of Alaska    | 03049061 | Germany  | 2 768    | 3 085     |
| Pollack                |          |          |          |           |
|                        |          | France   | 2 628    | 3 136     |
|                        |          |          |          |           |
|                        |          | U.K.     | 1 910    | 2 243     |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+
| Frozen whole albacore  | 03034111 | Spain    | 3 444    | 7 036     |
+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+

Source: Eurostat

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **TOTAL EU-25 IMPORTS |                       |                       |
| OF U.S. FISH &        |                       |                       |
| FISHERY PRODUCTS**    |                       |                       |
|                       |                       |                       |
| **BY CATEGORY -- CY   |                       |                       |
| 2005**                |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Category**          | **Metric Tons**       | **Value (1,000 EUR)** |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Salmon                | 16 943                | 39 122                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Canned Salmon         | 18 368                | 58 264                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Groundfish            | 28 183                | 64 300                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Groundfish Fillets    | 98 620                | 188 637               |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Flatfish              | 524                   | 2 250                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Lobster               | 7 653                 | 100 759               |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Squid / Cuttlefish    | 9 822                 | 15 995                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

Source: Eurostat

In CY 2005, EU imports from the United States and their share in terms
of volume of total EU imports were as follows: salmon 16,943 MT (5%),
canned salmon 18,368 MT, groundfish 28,183 MT (9%), groundfish fillets
98,620 MT (22%), flatfish 524 MT (1%), lobster 7,653 MT (34%),
squid/cuttlefish 9,822 MT (3%).

Although imports of U.S. canned salmon decreased by 18% in CY 2005
compared to CY 2004, the United States was still the number one supplier
to the EU, accounting for 61% of total EU imports in terms of volume of
which 82% was imported by the U.K. For more details see [GAIN Report
UK6032](http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200609/146249058.pdf).

The United States is also a significant supplier of groundfish fillets
to the EU. In CY 2005, the United States accounted for 22% (status quo
with CY 2004) of total EU imports in terms of volume. This category
mainly consists of frozen fillets of Alaska Pollack imported by Germany,
Netherlands, France and the U.K. For more details see [*GAIN Report
GM6037*](http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200610/146249121.pdf)
(Germany), [*GAIN Report
FR6054*](http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200610/146249202.pdf)
(France) and [*GAIN Report
UK6032*](http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200609/146249058.pdf) (U.K.).
Imports from main competitor China increased by 11% compared to CY 2004.
China has firmly re-conquered its position as leading supplier to the EU
after the ban following the detection of the antibiotic chloramphenicol
was lifted in 2003.

With a market share of 34% in terms of volume, the United States is the
number two supplier of lobster to the EU with Canada being its main
competitor. EU lobster imports from the United States increased
slightly, by 2%. The main importing member states in CY 2005 were Italy
and France. For more details see [*GAIN Report
IT6021*](http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200604/146187474.pdf) (Italy)
and [*GAIN Report
FR6054*](http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200610/146249202.pdf)
(France).

# SECTION II: STATISTICAL TABLES

**EU-25 IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS: JANUARY-DECEMBER
2005 & 2004 (Source: Eurostat)**

  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
  **Product: Salmon                                                  
  (excl. fillets)                                                    
  (in Metric                                                         
  Tons)**                                                            

  **Destination**   **Exports               **Origin**   **Imports   
                    from the                             into the    
                    EU-25**                              EU-25**     

                    **2005**    **2004**                 **2005**    **2004**

  U.S.              5 684       9 623       U.S.         16 943      18 019

  Russia            2 029       805         Norway       314 913     284 769

  Japan             1 196       2 321       Faroe Isles  9 500       23 504

  Switzerland       708         930         Canada       4 744       6 131

  Lebanon           432         454         Iceland      3 220       2 102

  Faroe Isles       398         27          Chile        711         249

  Ukraine           271         370         China        544         486

  Sth Africa        259         252         Bulgaria     30          0

  Belarus           236         159         Vietnam      30          24

  Canada            205         616         India        27          0

  Others            1855        3 321       Others       100         293

  Total third       13 273      18 869      Total third  350 762     335 577
  countries                                 countries                
  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------

  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
  **Product: Canned                                                  
  Salmon (in Metric                                                  
  Tons)**                                                            

  **Destination**   **Exports               **Origin**   **Imports   
                    from the                             into the    
                    EU-25**                              EU-25**     

                    **2005**    **2004**                 **2005**    **2004**

  U.S.              24          80          U.S.         18 368      22 513

  Australia         83          2           Canada       8 115       7 560

  Switzerland       65          70          Thailand     1 937       1 466

  Hong Kong         29          37          Norway       793         677

  Norway            27          57          Chile        481         633

  New Caledonia     22          19          China        380         308

  Japan             17          5           Vietnam      42          13

  Serbia            16          0           Indonesia    22          92

  Bosnia &          15          2           Iceland      18          55
  Herzegovina                                                        

  Israel            9           1           Seychelles   14          0

  Others            140         233         Others       10          197

  Total third       447         506         Total third  30 180      33 514
  countries                                 countries                
  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------

  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
  **Product:                                                         
  Groundfish (in                                                     
  Metric Tons)**                                                     

  **Destination**   **Exports               **Origin**   **Imports   
                    from the                             into the    
                    EU-25**                              EU-25**     

                    **2005**    **2004**                 **2005**    **2004**

  U.S.              531         548         U.S.         28 183      20 282

  China             4 359       8 696       Norway       62 741      63 404

  Ukraine           3 954       909         Russia       58 468      60 079

  Russia            1 620       1 293       Sth Africa   30 806      32 710

  Algeria           962         1 704       Faroe Isles  28 528      30 346

  Belarus           858         306         Iceland      28 310      28 440

  Switzerland       579         283         Chile        19 761      20 017

  Croatia           575         926         Namibia      17 165      25 099

  Macedonia         547         539         Argentina    11 956      22 775

  Canada            515         282         Canada       8 000       10 363

  Others                        2 991       Others       17 930      21 376

  Total third       18 924      18 913      Total third  311 758     334 891
  countries                                 countries                
  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------

  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
  **Product:                                                         
  Groundfish                                                         
  Fillets (in                                                        
  Metric Tons)**                                                     

  **Destination**   **Exports               **Origin**   **Imports   
                    from the                             into the    
                    EU-25**                              EU-25**     

                    **2005**    **2004**                 **2005**    **2004**

  U.S.              2 098       1 988       U.S.         98 620      98 048

  Russia            2 207       683         China        162 634     145 981

  Switzerland       1 371       1 256       Iceland      71 631      68 247

  Romania           801         117         Russia       42 491      40 606

  Algeria           668         374         Norway       36 693      37 681

  Norway            353         503         Faroe Isles  21 886      19 769

  Kuwait            263         21          Peru         5 725       4 530

  China             155         380         Greenland    2 797       1 686

  Belarus           106         6           Chile        2 548       6 381

  Iceland           104         328         Namibia      729         829

  Others            1 342       1 028       Others       2 840       4 534

  Total third       9 468       6 684       Total third  448 594     428 292
  countries                                 countries                
  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------

  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
  **Product:                                                         
  Flatfish (in                                                       
  Metric Tons)**                                                     

  **Destination**   **Exports               **Origin**   **Imports   
                    from the                             into the    
                    EU-25**                              EU-25**     

                    **2005**    **2004**                 **2005**    **2004**

  U.S.              1 287       1 284       U.S.         524         336

  China             9 729       6 986       Greenland    16 761      12 129

  Japan             6 962       7 119       Norway       9 523       10 381

  Taiwan            4 893       6 161       Morocco      5 796       5 747

  Ukraine           1 693       748         Iceland      3 386       3 854

  Hong Kong         759         887         Faroe Isles  2 771       3 354

  Sth Korea         648         479         Mauritania   1 993       2 116

  Russia            503         353         Senegal      1 444       2 309

  Morocco           401         686         China        1 033       833

  Switzerland       204         177         Russia       894         1 609

  Others            1 179       1 168       Others       2 566       3 308

  Total third       28 258      26 048      Total third  46 691      45 976
  countries                                 countries                
  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------

  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
  **Product:                                                         
  Lobster (in                                                        
  Metric Tons)**                                                     

  **Destination**   **Exports               **Origin**   **Imports   
                    from the                             into the    
                    EU-25**                              EU-25**     

                    **2005**    **2004**                 **2005**    **2004**

  U.S.              80          196         U.S.         7 653       7 518

  Japan             283         294         Canada       7 942       8 251

  Switzerland       51          43          Cuba         2 658       2 312

  Norway            35          37          Bahamas      1 236       1 040

  China             21          0           Sth Africa   446         481

  Russia            8           7           Australia    391         322

  Croatia           6           12          Morocco      296         309

  Ivory Coast       5           1           El Salvador  265         226

  Gibraltar         5           5           Mauritania   116         158

  Hong Kong         2           3           Madagascar   92          182

  Others            206         104         Others       1 321       2 300

  Total third       553         702         Total third  22 416      22 099
  countries                                 countries                
  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------

  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -----------
  **Product: Squid                                                    
  / Cuttlefish (in                                                    
  Metric Tons)**                                                      

  **Destination**   **Exports               **Origin**    **Imports   
                    from the                              into the    
                    EU-25**                               EU-25**     

                    **2005**    **2004**                  **2005**    **2004**

  U.S.              127         258         U.S.          9 822       10 152

  Croatia           4 012       3 782       India         64 218      59 071

  Sth Africa        1 745       1 217       Falkland Isl. 42 803      27 607

  Turkey            760         518         Thailand      32 849      34 027

  Russia            628         558         China         25 574      27 135

  Thailand          473         628         Peru          21 956      17 307

  Algeria           423         391         New Zealand   16 446      22 205

  Morocco           414         253         Morocco       13 134      9 189

  Switzerland       380         373         Malaysia      12 888      9 621

  Vietnam           355         259         Sth Africa    10 666      7 751

  Others            2 456       3 383       Others        53 630      59 317

  Total third       11 773      11 620      Total third   304 166     283 382
  countries                                 countries                 
  ----------------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -----------

#  GLOSSARY & SOURCES

CFP Common Fisheries Policy

CN Combined Nomenclature (tariff codes)

CY Calendar Year

DG Directorate General

EFF European Fisheries Fund

EU European Union

EMAS Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (Voluntary EU scheme)

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FDA Food & Drug Administration

HS Harmonized System (tariff codes)

ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

MT Metric Ton (1000 kg)

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

STECF Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries

TAC Total Allowable Catch

TBT Technical Barriers to Trade

U.K. United Kingdom

U.S. United States

WTO World Trade Organization

Exchange Rates:

2005: 1 Euro = 1.2441 U.S. Dollar

2004: 1 Euro = 1.2439 U.S. Dollar

2003: 1 Euro = 1.1309 U.S. Dollar

EU Legislation:

The referenced legislation can be downloaded from the Internet at

<http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm>.

Sources:

\- European Commission: DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, DG Health &
Consumer Protection

\- Eurostat

\- SeafoodPlus

\- National Marine Fisheries Service

**Trade Shows**

The annual European Seafood Exposition (ESE) in Brussels, Belgium, is
the largest seafood event in the world and attracts buyers from over 130
countries. ESE will take place from April 24-26, 2007. For more
information on ESE please visit their website at
[http://www.euroseafood.com](http://www.euroseafood.com/) or contact
Mary Ann Kurvink, Office of Agricultural Affairs, The Hague, the
Netherlands, phone (31-70) 310-9299, e-mail <agthehague@fas.usda.gov>

**Visit our website:** our website
<http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/usda.html> provides a broad range of
useful information on EU import rules and food laws and allows easy
access to USEU reports, trade information and other practical
information. Information on seafood can be found at
<http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/seafood2.html>.

E-mail: AgUSEUBrussels@usda.gov.