WRITTEN QUESTION E-2866/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Threat to Swedish fish

A Commission proposal on limit values for dioxin in fish could deal a deathblow to the Swedish fishing industry. According to Sweden's National Fisheries Board, the proposal will probably result in a total ban on the sale of salmon and eels from the Baltic Sea.

There is also a risk that the sale for consumption of herring and Baltic herring caught in the Baltic Sea could be prohibited. The worst-case scenario could see a couple of thousand fishermen lose their jobs.

Sweden favours the introduction of limit values in this area, but they are being introduced too soon, and the scientific basis for them is still not sufficient.

It is important not to act too hastily. Has the Commission assessed the possible effects of its proposal on limit values for dioxin in fish on employment in Sweden?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2002)

The Commission is aware of the possible effects the measures on maximum levels in fish could have on the employment in the fishery sector, as mentioned by the Honourable Member. But the problem has to be considered under the different aspects in particular the public health aspects besides the possible economic consequences.

The Commission proposed to Council on 28 August 2001 measures(1) on maximum limits on dioxins as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the presence of dioxins in the environment, feed and food. The most important objective for the Commission is the protection of public health by reducing human exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The measures for the reduction of human exposure through food are justified by the fact that the intake of dioxins by a considerable part of the European population exceeds the tolerable intake set by the Scientific Committee on Food. The socio-economic impact of the proposals has also been taken into account, but it must be clear that this cannot have precedence over the necessary level of human health protection based on the scientific advice.

The Council adopted on 29 November 2001 a Council Regulation (EC) No 2375/2001(2) amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. This Regulation establishes maximum levels for dioxins and furans in several foodstuffs, including fish and fishery products and products thereof.

For a temporary period ending in 2006, the Council granted Finland and Sweden a derogation from the application of the maximum levels for fish originating from the Baltic region intended for consumption in their territory.

The Commission accepted this derogation taking into account the following elements:

- a significant part of the Baltic fatty fish will not comply with the maximum level and would thus be excluded from the Swedish and Finnish diet;

- exclusion of fish from the diet may have a negative health impact in Sweden and Finland because:

- Baltic fish is the main source of vitamin D among the elderly in these countries. Intake of vitamin D is of major importance in the Northern regions with low solar light;

- Baltic fish would be replaced by cheaper cuts of meat, containing high levels of hard fats which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease;

- total human exposure to dioxins in Finland and Sweden is not higher than in other European countries;

- Finland and Sweden have a system in place ensuring that consumers are fully informed of the dietary recommendations concerning restrictions on consumption of Baltic fish by identified vulnerable groups of the population in order to avoid potential health risks;

- Finland and Sweden will intensively monitor the presence of dioxins in fish from the Baltic region and report each year the results and the measures taken to reduce human exposure to dioxins from fish from the Baltic region.

(1) COM(2001) 495 final.

(2) OJ L 321, 6.12.2001.