COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91) 433 final 
Brussels, 4 November 1991 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
fixing the guide prices for the fishery products 
listed in Annex I (A), (D) and (E) of Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 
for the 1992 fishing year 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
fixing the guide prices for the fishery products listed in Annex II to 
Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 for the 1992 fishing year 
sw& 
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s»r Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
fixing the Community producer price for tuna intended for 
the industrial manufacture of products falling within 
CN code 1604 for the 1992 fishing year 
(presented by the Commission) 
mm 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The purpose of this Regulation is to fix the guide prices for 1992 for 
the products in Annex 1(A), (D) and (E) of Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 
on the common organization of the market in fishery products. Article 
10 of that Regulation states that a guide price for each of these 
products shall be fixed for each fishing year on the basis of the 
average of prices recorded for a significant proportion of Community 
output and a product with given commercial characteristics on 
representative wholesale markets or in representative ports during the 
three fishing years immediately preceding the year for which the price 
is fixed. In fixing the price, account is also taken of the production 
and demand prospects and other criteria relating to the stabilization of 
market prices, support for producers' incomes and consumers' interests. 
As in previous years, the procedure for fixing the prices for 1992 has 
been based on a comparison between the average of prices recorded 
between 1989 and the first six months of 1991 and that for the period 
beween 1988 and 1990, which was used as a basis for fixing the guide 
prices for 1991. 
Generally speaking white fish production is appreciably lower and 
withdrawals virtually negligible. This drop in production appears to be 
mainly due to the fact that white fish is becoming rarer and this too is 
causing a substantial increase in the average of prices. 
In view of these price movements, the Commission proposes an increase of 
1 - 4 % in the prices of various species of white fish with the 
exception of cat shark (difference between the guide price and the 
average price ; high level of withdrawals). 
An assessment of the market situation and foreseeable developments for 
pelagic species is further complicated in particular by production 
levels that fluctuate from one year to the next : 
a) Herring : the withdrawal's increase, the drop in the prices and the 
increasing difference between the guide price and the average 
market price allow for a reduction of the guide price of 5 %. 
b) Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) : it is proposed to reduce slightly the 
guide price in order to bring it closer to the average market 
price. 
c) Anchovy prices dare lower but withdrawals are negligible and the 
considerable difference between guide prices and average market 
prices allow for an increase of 1 %. 
d) Mediterranean sardines : in view of the artificial nature of the 
increase in accordance with the guide lines set out in the report 
on sardines (COM 87 219 final of 7 August 87) it is proposed that 
the guide price for this product be reduced by 1 % in order not to 
have a worse effect on the compeititveness of the canning industry. 
Atlantic sardines : in view of the too important gap between the 
guide price and the average market price, it is proposed to reduce 
the guide price by 1 %, out with the price alignment scheme 
provided for by the Act of Accession. 
Among the new species included in the Community system of storage 
premium as a result of the Act of Accession, the Commission proposes a 
substantial decrease in the price for nephrops (tails) species for which 
the gap between average market price and guide price has widened 
considerably over the last few years - and a slight decrease for edible 
crab. 
Consequently, it is proposed that: 
the guide prices for cat shark, mackerel, Atlantic sardine, 
Mediterranean sardine and edible crab be reduced by 1 %, that for 
herring by 5 % and that for nephrops (tails) by 10 % / 
the 1991 guide prices for Spanish mackerel, raysbream and whole 
nephrops be maintained in 1992 ; 
- the guide prices be increased : 
- by 1 % for anchovies, monkfish, megrim, dogfish and whiting 
- by 2 % for ling, saithe, redfish, plaice and hake 
- by 3 % for cod 
- by 4 % for haddock 
- by 5 % for shrimps 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 
of 
fixing the guide prices for the fishery products 
listed in Annex I (A), (D) and (E) of Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 
for the 1992 fishing year 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
Haying regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 of 29 December 1981 
on the common organization of the market in fishery products(l), as last 
amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3571/90(2), and in particular Article 10 
(3) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas Article 10 (1) and (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 provides 
that a guide price shall be fixed for each of the products listed in Annex 
I (A), (D) and (E) of the Regulation at a level which will help to 
stabilize market prices and avoid the formation of surpluses in the 
Community ; whereas that level must also help support producers' income 
and at the same time take account of consumers' interest ; 
Whereas the guide price shall be based on the average of prices as defined 
in Article 10 (2) of that Regulation and on an assessment of production 
and demand prospects ; 
Whereas the application of the criteria laid down in Article 10 of 
Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 and referred to above involves for the 1992 
fishing year an increase for certain products and the stabilization or 
decrease of prices for others compared with prices applicable during the 
current fishing year ; 
(1) OJ N° L 379, 31.12.1981, p. 1. . 
(2) OJ N° L 353, 17.12.1990, p. 10. Q 
Whereas in accordance with Articles 169 and 356 of the Act of Accession, a 
seventh approximation of guide prices must take place on 1 January 1992 
for Atlantic sardines of the species Sardina pilchardus , 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION S 
Article 1 
The guide prices for the fishing year from 1 January to 31 December 1992 
for the products listed in Annex I (A), (D) and (E) to Regulation (EEC) 
No 3796/81 and the categories to which they relate are fixed in the Annex 
hereto. 
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1992. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable 
in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
ANNEX 
Species Commercial specifications (1) 
Freshness 
category Size Presentation Guide price 
(ECU/tonne) 
1. Herrings of the species 
Clupea harengus 
2. Sardines of the species 
Sardine pilchardus 
a) Atlantic : 
- Member States other than 
Spain and Portugal 
- Spain, Portugal 
b) Mediterranean 
3. Picked dogfish 
(Squalus acanthias) 
4. Catshanks (Scyliorhinus spp.) 
5. Redfish (Sebastes spp.) 
6. Cod of the species Gadus 
aorhua 
7. Coalfish (Pollachius virens) 
8. Haddock (Melanogrammus 
aeglefinus) 
9. Whiting (Nerlangius aerlangus) 
10. Ling (Molva spp.) 
11. Mackerel of the species 
Scomber scombrus 
12. Mackerel of the species 
Scomber japonicus 
13. Anchovies (Engraulis spp.) 
14. Plaice 
(Pleuronectes platessa) Extra, A Whole fish 
Extra 
Extra 
Extra 
Extra, A 
Extra, A 
A 
or 
A 
A 
ou 
A 
A 
or 
A 
A 
or 
A 
Extra, A 
Extra 
or 
A 
Extra 
or 
A 
Extra 
A 
or 
A 1 
2 
2 
3 
2 
3 
2 
3 
2 
3 
1, 2 
1 
2 
1 
2 
2 
2 
3 Whole fish 
Whole fish 
Whole fish 
Whole fish 
Gutted fish with head 
Whole fish 
Gutted fish with head 
Whole fish 
Gutted fish with head 
Gutted fish with head 
Gutted fish with head 
Gutted fish with head 
Gutted fish, with head 
Gutted fish, with head 
Gutted fish, with head 
Gutted fish, with head 
Gutted fish, with head 
Whole fish 
Whole fish 
Whole fish 
Whole fish 
Whole fish 
Gutted fish, with head 
Gutted fish, with head 251 
466 
405 
453 
877 
757 
923 
1 303 
666 
957 
822 
955 
261 
322 
940 
From 1 January ) ^gg 
to 30 April 1992 ) 
From 1 May )1 074 
to 31 December 1992) 
r. 
Species 
15. Hake of the species 
Merluccius merluceius 
16. Megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.) 
17. Ray's bream (Brama spp.) 
18. Monkfish (Lophius spp.) 
19. Shrimps of the species 
Crangon crangon 
20. Edible crab (Cancer pagurus) 
21. Norway lobster 
(Nephrops norvegicus) Commercial specifications (1) 
Freshness 
category 
A 
Extra, A 
Extra, A 
Extra, A 
Extra, A 
A 
E. A 
E, A Size 
1 
1, 2 
1 
2, 3 
2, 3 
1 
1 
1. 2 
2 Presentation Guide price 
(ECU/tonne) 
Gutted fish with head 3 073 
Whole fish,or gutted fish 1 922 
with head 
Whole fish 1 557 
Whole, or gutted with head 2 159 
Without head 5 081 
Simply boiled in water 1 718 
Whole 1 482 
Whole 4 392 
Tails 7 736 
(1) The freshness categories, sizes 
No 3796/81 and presentation are defined pursuant to Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Regulation (EEC) No. 3796/81 on the common organization of the market in 
fishery products states that, for each of the products listed in Annex II, a 
guide price shall be fixed for a product with given commercial characteristics 
on the basis of the average of prices recorded for a significant proportion of 
Community output on representative wholesale markets or in representative ports 
during the three fishing years immediately preceding the year for which the 
price is fixed. 
Examination of the price trends for frozen products suggests that the guide 
prices should be kept at their current level in the 1992 fishing year for 
sardines, sea bream, cuttlefish and for Illex. 
For the species Loligo patagonica, although the drop in catches and in stocks, 
the continued weakness in prices reflect the crisis which has been affecting 
this market for two years. 
Concerning octopus, prices are increasing and the market situation is steady. 
In these circumstances, for the 1992 fishing year, the Commission proposes for 
these two last species to adjust the guide prices to the long-term market 
trends and thus reduce significantly Community guide price for the Loligo 
patagonica, and to increase it for octopus. 
r\ 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No / 
Of 
fixing the guide prices for the fishery products listed in Annex II to 
Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 for the 1992 fishing year 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 of 29 December 1981 
on the common organization of the market in fishery productsf*), as last 
amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3571/90(2), and in particular Article 15 
(5), 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas Article 15 (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 provides that a 
guide price shall be fixed annually for each of the products or groups of 
products listed in Annex II to that Regulation ; 
Whereas, according to the data available at present concerning prices for 
the products in question and the criteria laid down in Article 10 of that 
Regulation, these prices should be increased, maintained and decreased 
according to the species for the 1992 fishing year, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : 
Article 1 
The guide prices for the fishing year 1 January to 31 December 1992 for 
the products listed in Annex II to Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 and the 
categories to which they relate are fixed in the Annex hereto. 
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1992. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable 
in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
(1) OJ No L 379, 31.12.1981, p. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 353, 17.12.1990, p. 10. 
ANNEX 
(ECU/tonne) 
Group of products Commercial specifications Guide price 
1. Sardines of the species 
Sardina pilchardus 
2. Sea-bream (Dentex dentex 
and Paget lus spp.) 
3. Squid of the species Loligo 
patagonica 
4. Squid 
(Ommastraphes sagittatus) 
5. IIlex argentinus 
6. Cuttlefish of the species 
Sepia officinalis, Rossia 
macrosoma and Sepiola 
rondeletti 
7. Octopus (Octopus spp.) Frozen, in lots or in original packages containing the same products 
Frozen, in lots or in original packages containing the same products 
Frozen, not cleaned, in original packages containing the same 
products 
Frozen, not cleaned, in original packages containing the same 
products 
Frozen, not cleaned, in original packages containing the same 
products 
Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 388 
1 362 
825 
806 
808 
Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 1 639 
1 374 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 On the common organization of the market in 
fishery products states that, for tuna intended for use by the canning 
industry, a Commmunity production price shall be fixed for a product 
with given commercial characteristics on the basis of the average of 
prices recorded for a significant proportion of Community output on 
representative wholesale markets or in representative ports during the 
three fishing years immediately preceding the year for which the price 
is fixed. 
There has been an appreciable reduction in the average Community 
production price over the past 3 years. The same is true for the first 
6 months of 1991 ; the price of Albacore weighing more than 10 kg has 
gradually fallen on the community market, especially from april of last 
year, reflecting the situation on the international market on which 
Albacore is in plentiful supply and prices are dropping. 
In these circumstances, the Commission proposes that the Community tuna 
production price be reduced by 16 % for the 1992 fishing year. 
•' I 
COUNCIL REGULATION (BBC) No 
of 
fixing the Community producer price for tuna intended for 
the industrial manufacture of products falling within 
CN code 1604 for the 1992 fishing year 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Community, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 of 29 December 1981 
on the common organization of the market in fishery products(^) as 
last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3571/90(2), and in particular 
Article 17 (3) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas Article 17 (1 ) of Regulation (EEC) No 3796/81 provides that a 
Community producer price shall be fixed for tunas (of the genus 
Thunnus ), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito [Euthynnus (Katsuwonus) 
pelamis] and other species of the genus Euthynnus intended for the 
industrial manufacture of products falling within CN code 1604 ; 
Whereas, on the basis of the criteria laid down in Article 17 (2) of the 
abovementioned Regulation, the price for the 1992 fishing year should be 
decreased, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : 
Article 1 
The Community producer price for the fishing year 1 January to 31 
December 1992 for tunas (of the genus Thunnus), skipjack or stripe-
bellied bonito [Euthynnus (Katsuwonus) pelamis) and other species of 
the genus Euthynnus for the industrial manufacture of products falling 
within CN code 1604 and the category to which it relates are hereby 
fixed as follows : 
(1) OJ No L 379, 31.12.1981, p. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 353, 17.12.1990, p. 10. 
(ECU/tonne) 
Product Commercial specifications Guide price 
Yellowfin tunas 
(Thunnus albacares) Whole, weighing more than 10 kg 
each 966 
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1992. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable 
in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
1 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(91) 433 final 
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