WRITTEN QUESTION P-0749/96 by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission (14 March 1996)

Subject: Crisis in the preserved sardine industry

For some years now, Europe's preserved sardine industry has been facing a growing crisis, in line with the major problems in the fishing industry at international level; thus far, intervention by the Community has been unable to stop the decline, which can be explained by two principal factors:

- the large supplies of the product, combined with stiff competition from third countries, which have free access to Community markets and production costs far lower than those in Europe (up to 47 per cent lower), although they do not offer the same level of quality;

- the decline in consumption of a product which should, however, be taken seriously since it has a high protein and calcium content, along with an extremely low level of histamines, the processing does not use additives or chemical preservatives and the sardines can be kept for long periods, at any temperature, without spoiling.

The scale of the crisis is illustrated by the situation in Italy where, out of eight processing plants, which are among the most modern and up-to-date in the world, are partly funded from Community contributions, and have the capacity to meet the whole of the demand in Europe, only three are currently in operation, and this at a time when supplies of the raw material in Italy's seas are very large.

What measures does the Commission intend to take in order to place the European processing industry on an equal footing with third country producers?

Would the Commission be prepared, in order to stimulate recovery in the sector, to support measures to promote the consumption of tinned sardines, with an appropriate advertizing campaign and the option of 'certificates of origin' to differentiate effectively between EU and non-EU products and promote European quality?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1996)

At the end of 1995, when it examined the Commission's report on the sardine market, ((COM(95)320 final. )) the Council set out the following options for the industry:

- more support in the form of a substantial increase in the premium, the amount to be decided when 1996 prices were set;

- better structuring of the sector by tightening up the measures introduced under the current instruments, particularly the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and the machinery of the common organisations of the markets, with support from regional and national authorities;

- action on prices that would have no negative effects on the sardine market itself or on the market for similar species;

- more intense promotion, i.e. a Community-wide promotional campaign.

Taking the last point first, in 1996 the Commission will be supporting the organisation of a European campaign to promote fisheries products. Using a common theme, the campaign will aim chiefly to increase and upgrade Community fish consumption, particularly of species not currently overexploited. The campaign will consist, inter alia, of promoting such species in markets where there is little tradition of their consumption and of targeting populations that do not eat much fish.

Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on protected geographical indications (PGIs) and protected designations of origin (PDOs) ((OJ L 208 of 24.7.1992. )) allows the creation of an official label linking product and origin. However, it is based on the requirement that the product originate in a given region, specific place or country and that its qualities and characteristics be due essentially or exclusively to the geographical environment (PDOs) or that a given quality, the reputation of the article or any other characteristic be attributable to that geographical origin (PGIs). Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 is applicable to fisheries products, though the migratory nature of the species makes it more difficult to determine the geographical origin of the product.

Here the Commission is considering proposing an amendment to Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 ((OJ L 346 of 31.12.1993. )) to permit FIFG support for measures to promote the products of fishing and aquaculture by referring to their geographical origin where this reference is an integral part of the official quality label within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

On the question of the procedure to be followed when submitting PGI or PDO proposals, the bodies concerned should contact those national authorities responsible for the presentation of proposals to the Commission.