WRITTEN QUESTION E-0682/99

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1999)

Subject: 1999 tariff quotas for tuna loins

On 18 February 1999, the Commission made an oral statement proposing a tariff quota for tuna loins for 1999 of 2500 tonnes at 6 %.

The proposal was based on the following points:

(a) the Commission has carried out a study on the available supply of tuna loins on the international market. It found that supply was as follows: GSP countries: 30 000 tonnes; ACP countries: 10 000 tonnes; EU countries: 10 000 tonnes;

(b) Community industries require approximately 59 000 tonnes, leaving a deficit of 9 000 tonnes;

(c) the Commission was influenced by the arguments put forward by an Italian firm which stated that it had lost competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, putting at risk jobs in the Italian canning industry.

The Commission pointed out that as the labour costs involved in the production of tuna loins in third countries were considerably lower than those in the EU, it was obliged to guarantee the competitiveness of the Italian canning industry, and to arrest the decline in its share of the canned tuna market.

The Commission's position is untenable and unfair, as it damages the interests of the vast majority of the Community's tuna processing firms, specifically those in Spain, France and Portugal, and some Italian firms. The Commission's proposal is quite clearly unacceptable from any viewpoint.

Given that the fish processing industry is a fundamental pillar of the common fisheries policy, which contributes to the supply of food products which are in deficit in the EU countries and for which there is increasing demand and a positive outlook for future consumption and growth, and given that the European Union must develop a policy of supply which meets the real needs of Community processing industries, supports the Community fleet and guarantees access to the necessary raw material in the best possible conditions for all its members, will the Commission comment on the collapse of the principle of preference which has led to this measure which benefits just one part - not even the whole - of the sector in one Community country, in a way that is clearly detrimental to the interests of the majority of the EU's tuna processing industry, and therefore contrary to the principle of solidarity which should inform Community policies?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

The Commission is unaware of the study mentioned by the Honourable Member. In view of the conflicting statistical data, the Commission will draw up a supply balance for tuna loins by the end of this year.

The Commission has not received any request from any Italian company on this subject. The official request for the opening of an autonomous quota for tuna loins was submitted by the Italian authorities.

The opening of autonomous tariff quotas in no way implies the abandonment of the Community preference principle. The quotas have been opened for a limited quantity and period. Moreover, the modest quota proposed by the Commission, equivalent to 5 % of imports, is subject to a customs duty of 6 %, i.e. one of the highest rates proposed by the Commission under its overall proposal for the opening of autonomous quotas for certain fishery products.

In this proposal, the Commission took account of the principle of solidarity governing Community policies, recognising that the Italian canning industry occupies a not inconsiderable place in the Community canning industry in terms of volume of production and employment and that part of that industry is manifestly facing serious competitiveness problems.

It is not up to the Commission to choose between the various industrial strategies in the Member States. All Community operators should be able to source their supplies in the best possible conditions without ignoring the overall production situation in the Community.