Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) fixing the guide prices for the fishery products listed in Annex I(A), (D) and (E) of Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 for the 1997 fishing year
Date: 1996-10-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: crustacean, fishery product, guide price, marketing standard, product quality, sea fish

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  28.10.1996 
COM(96)  527 final 

Proposal  for  a 
COUNCIL  REGULATION  (EC) 

fixing  the  guide  prices  for  the  fishery  products  listed  in  Annex  1(A),  (D) 
and  (E)  of Regulation  (EEC) No  3759/92  for  the  1997  fishing  year 

Proposal  for  a 
COUNCIL  REGULATION  (EC) 

fixing  the  guide  prices  for  the  fishery  products  listed  in  Annex  II  to 
Regulation  (EEC) No  3759/92  for  the  1997 fishing  year 

Proposal  for  a 
COUNCIL  REGULATION  (EC) 

fixing  the  Community  producer  price for  tuna  intended  for  the  industrial 
manufacture  of  products  falling  within  CN  code  1604  for  the  1997  fishing  year 

(presented  by  the  Commission) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

The purpose of this  Regulation is to fix the guide prices  for  1997 for the products in Annex  1(A), (D) and  (E) 
to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 on the common organization of the market in fishery  and aquaculture 
products. Article 9 of that Regulation  states that a guide price for each of these products is to 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. 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  1997 has been based  on a comparison  between  the 
average of prices recorded between  1994 and the  first  six months of  1996 and that for the period  between  1993 
and  1995,  which  was  used  as  a  basis  for  fixing  the  guide  prices  for  1996. 

-11%  for 
The  reduction  in  white  fish  prices  recorded  between  1994  and  1996  fluctuated  between 
most  species  and  prices have  been  generally  lower  in  the  first  half  of  1996 than  in the  first  half  of  1995, with 
the  exception  of  prices  for  plaice,  sole,  haddock  and  whiting. 

- 1%  and 

In view of the long-term trend in prices, the Commission proposes a reduction of  1-5%  in the prices for  various 
species  of  white  fish,  with  the  exception  of  redfish,  for  which  it  recommends  no  change;  for  plaice,  dogfish, 
Ray's  bream,  dab,  flounder  and  sole,  the  Commission  proposes  an  increase  of  1 -2%. 

With  regard  to  pelagic  species,  prices  recorded  between  1994  and  1996  were  generally  higher  than  between 
1993 and  1995, except  for  Spanish  mackerel  and  anchovy,  with prices  rising  during the  first  half  of  1996. The 
Commission  proposes  price  changes  from  -3%  to  +3% for  pelagic  species. 

As  regards  the  other  species  (shrimps,  crabs,  Norway  lobster  and  cuttlefish),  the  Commission  proposes  no 
change  for  deep-water  prawns  and  crabs,  +5%  for  common  shrimps,  - 1%  for  whole  Norway  lobster  and 
cuttlefish  and  -5% for  headed  Norway  lobster. 

It  is  proposed  therefore: 

to  lower  the  guide  price  for  dogfish  by  1%,  for  cod  by  5%, for  saithe  by  1%, for  haddock  by  1%,  for 
whiting  by  1%, for  ling  by  1%, for  Spanish  mackerel  by  3%, for  anchovy  by  1%, for  hake  by  2%,  for 
megrim by  1%, for whole monkfish  by  1%, for whole Norway  lobster by  1%* for headed Norway  lobster 
by  5% and  for  cuttlefish  by  1%; 

to  maintain.in  1997  the  guide  prices  applicable  in  1996  for  herring,  redfish,  headed  monkfish.  edible 
crab  and  Northern  prawn; 

to raise the  guide price for  sardine, Ray's bream,  flounder  and albacore by  1 %, dogfish,  plaice, sole and 
dab  by  2%,  mackerel  by  3% and  common  shrimp  by  5%. 

2. 

COUNCIL  REGULATION  (EC)  No 

of 

fixing  the  guide  prices  for  the fishery  products  listed  in  Annex  I (A),  (D)  and  (E)  of 

Regulation  (EEC)  No  3759/92  for  the  1997  fishing  year 

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community, 

Having  regard  to  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3759/92  of  17  December  1992  on  the  common 

organization  of  the  market  in  fishery  and  aquaculture  products  ',  as  amended  by  Regulation  (EEC) 
No  3318/94  2,  and  in  particular  Article  9 (3)  thereof, 

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission, 

Whereas Article  9 (1) and  (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 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  9  (2)  of  that 

Regulation  and  on  an  assessment  of production  and  demand  prospects  ; 

Whereas  the  application  of  these  criteria  involves  for  the  1997  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  ; 

1O J N o L 3 8 8,  31.12.1992,  p.  1. 

*OJ No  L  350,  31.12.1994,  p.  15. 

h 

HAS  ADOPTED  THIS  REGULATION 

Article  1 

The  guide  prices  for  the  fishing  year  from  1 January  to  31  December  1997  for  the  products  listed  in 

Annex I (A), (D) and  (E) to Regulation  (EEC) No  3759/92  and the commercial  categories  to which  they 

relate  are  fixed  in  the  Annex  hereto. 

Article 2 

This  Regulation  shall  enter  into  force  on  1 January  1997. 

This  Regulation  shall  be  binding  in  its  entirety  and  directly  applicable  in  all  Member  States. 

Done  at  Brussels, 

For  the  Council 

if 

ANNEX 

Commercial specifications  i1) 

Species 

Freshness 
category 

Size 

Presentation 

Guide price 
(ECU/tonne) 

1. Herrings of the species 
Clupaa hareng-us 

2. Sardines of the species 
Sardina pilchardus 

Extra, A 

1 

Whole fish 

Extra 

3 

Whole fish 

275 

508 

3. Picked dogfish 
(Squalus acanthias) 

Extra, A 

Whole fish 
Gutted fish with head 

) 1036 

4. Catshanks  (Scyliorhinua 

Extra, A 

1 

spp.) 

5. Redfish  (Sebastes spp.) 

6. Cod of the species Gadua 
morhua 

7. Coalfish  (Pollachius 
virens) 

8. Haddock  (Melanograamus 
aeglefinus) 

9. Whiting  (Merlangius 
marlangus) 

A 

A 
or 
A 

A 
or 
A 

A 
or 
A 

A 
or 
A 

2 

2 

3 

2 

3 

2 

3 

2 

3 

Whole fish 
Gutted fish with he.ad 

) 806 

Whole fish 

1121 

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 

) 1431 

) 762 

) 1031 

) 893 

10. Ling  (Molva spp.) 

Extra, A 

1, 2 

Gutted fish with head 

1117 

11. Mackerel, of the species 
Scomber scpnbrus 

12. Mackerel of the species 
Scomber japonicus 

Extra 
or 
A 

Extra 
or 
A 

13. Anchovies  (Engraulis spp.) 

Extra 

14. Plaice 
(Pleuronectes platessa) 

A 
or 
A 

1 

2 

1 

2 

2 

2 

3 

whole fish 

Whole fish 

Whole fish 

Whole fish 

Whole fish 

Gutted fish with head 

Gutted fish with head 

-5" 

) 280 

) 312 

1156 

) 

1.1.1997 
- 30.4.1997  } 998 
1.5.1997 
- 31.12..1997{ 1372 

{' 

15.  Hake  of  the  species 

Marluccius  marluccius 

A 

1 

Gutted  fish with  head 

3623 

16. Megrim  (Lapidorhombus 

Extra,  A 

1,  2 

Whole  fish, gutted  fish 

2289 

spp.) 

with  head 

17.  Ray's  bream  (Brama  spp.) 

Extra,  A 

1 

Whole  fish 

1782 

18.  Monkfish  (Lophius  spp.) 

Extra,  A 

2,  3 

Whole,  or gutted  with 

2 650 

Extra,  A 

2,  3 

Without  head 

5449 

head 

19.  Shrimps  of  the  species 

Crangon  crangon 

20.  Edible  crab  (Cancer 

pagurus) 

21.  Norway  lobster 

(Nephrops  norvégiens) 

22.  Dab 

(Limanda  limanda) 

23.  Flounder 

(Platichthys  flesus) 

A 

-

1 

1 

Whole 

Simply  boiled  in water 

2327 

E,  A 

1, 2 

Whole 

E,  A 

Extra,  A 

2 

1 

Tails 

Gutted  fish with  head 

Extra,  A 

1 

Gutted  fish with  head 

547 

1767 

5078 

4130 

933 

24.  Albacore  or  longfinned  tuna 

Extra, A 

(Thunnus  alalunga) 

1 

1 

Whole  fish 

Gutted  fish with  head 

25.  Cuttlefish 

Extra,  A 

1,  2 

Whole 

2103 

2453 

1582 

(Sepia  officinalis  and 

Rossia  macrosoma) 

•26.  Sole 

(Solea  spp.) 

Extra,  A 

Gutted  fish with  head 

6142 

27.  Deep-water  prawns  (Pandalus 

A 

Borealis) 

A 

1 

1 

Simply  boiled  in  water 

6200 

Fresh  or  chilled 

1690 

(1) The  freshness  categories,  sizes  and  presentation  are  defined  pursuant  to Article  2 of  Regulation  (EEC) 

No  3759/92 

e 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

Regulation (EEC) No  3759/92 on the common organization  of the market  in fishery  products provides  that,  for 
each  of  the  products  listed  in  Annex  II,  a  guide  price  is  to  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  market  price  trends  and  the  level  of  the  guide prices  for  frozen  products  suggests  that  the 
guide  prices  applicable  in  1996  to  hake  and  Illex  and  Loligo  squid  should  be  reduced. 

In  these  circumstances  the  Commission  proposes  to  adjust  the  Community  guide  prices  in  line  with  recent 
market trends and thus reduce the price for hake by (2%), for  Illex squid by (1%) and  for  Loligo  squid by  (9%) 
for  the  1997  fishing  year. 

On  the  other  hand,  since  prices  for  octopus,  cuttlefish,  shrimps  (other  Parapenaeus  longirostris),  Greenland 
halibut  and  red  bream  have  risen  substantially,  mainly  in  the  first  half  of  1996,  their  guide  prices  should  be 
increased  by  4%,  1%,  2%,  1% and  3% respectively. 

The  Commission  proposes  to  maintain  the  prices  for  common  squid  and  shrimps  (other  Penaeidae). 

Y 

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 

/ 

of 

fixing the guide prices for the fishery products listed in Annex II to 

Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 for the  1997 fishing year 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 

Having regard to Council  Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 of  17 December  1992 on the common  organization  of 

the  market  in  fishery  and  aquaculture  products 

,  as  amended  by  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3318/94  ,  and  in 

particular Article 9 (3), 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Whereas  Article  9 (1) of Regulation  (EEC) No 3759/92  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  9 (2),of that Regulation, these prices should be maintained and decreased  according  to the 

species for the  1997 fishing  year, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : 

Article 1 

The  guide  prices  for  the  fishing  year  1 January  to  31  December  1997  for  the  products  listed  in  Annex  II  to 

Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 and the commercial categories to which they relate are fixed in the Annex hereto. 

'OJNOL388,  31.12.1992,  p. 1. 

2O J N o L 3 5 0,  31.12.1994,  p. 15. 

Article 2 

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1997. 

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 

<\ 

ANNEX 

(ECU/tonne) 

GROUP OF PRODUCTS 

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS 

GUIDE PRICE 

1. Sea-bream  (Dentex dentex  and Pagellus spp.) 

2. Squid of the species Loligo  paUgonica 

3. Squid 

(Ommastrephes sagittatus) 

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 pacicages containing the same 
products 

4. Illex argentinus 

Frozen, not cleaned, in original pacicages containing the same 

products 

5. Cuttlefish of the species  Sepia officinalis, Rossia 
macrosoma and Sepiola  rondeletti 
6. Octopus (Octopus spp.) 
7. Lesser or Greenland  halibut  (Reinhardtius 

Frozen, in original pacicages containing the same products 

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 
Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 

hippoglossoides) 

I

|  8. Whole hake of the genus  Merluccius spp. 

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 

9. Fillets of hake of the genus  Merluccius spp. 
10. - Prawns of the species  Parapenaeus longirostris 
- Other species of the family  Penaeidae 

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 
Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 

1525 

1013 

961 

897 

1968 

1875 
1900 

1290 

1593 
4080 
7985 

^D 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 on the common organization of the market in fishery products provides that, for 
tuna intended for  use by the canning industry, a Community producer price is to 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. 

The average Community producer price has shown a recovery over the last three years, but prices fell  sharply 
during the first six months of 1996. 

Given the significant  difference  between the Community producer price and the average market price for tuna, 
the Commission  proposes to reduce its Community  producer price for the  1997 fishing year by 5%. 

A1 

COUNCIL REGULATION  (EC) No 

of 

fixing the Community  producer price for tuna intended  for the industrial  manufacture  of products 

falling within CN code 1604 for the 1997 fishing year 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 of  17 December  1992 on the common organization of the 

market  in  fishery  and  aquaculture  products  ,  as  amended  by  Regulation  (EC)  No  3318/942,  and  in  particular 

Article  17(1) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Whereas  Article  17(1)  of  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3759/92  provides  that  a  Community  producer  price  should  be 

fixed for tuna (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 the first and second indents of Article 9(2) and in Article  17(1) of 

the abovementioned Regulation, the price for the  1997 fishing year should be decreased, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

1 
2 

OJ No L 388, 31.12.1992, p. 1. 
O J N oL  350,31.12.1994, p. 15. 

/ / £_ 

Article 1 

The  Community  producer  price  for  the  fishing  year  1 January  to  31  December  1997  for  tuna  (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 commercial  category 

to which it relates is hereby fixed as follows : 

Species 

Commercial specifications 

Community producer price 

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus  Whole, weighing more than 

1168 

albacares) 

10 kg each 

(ECU/tonne) 

Article 2 

This Regulation shall enter into force on  1  January  1997. 

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 

45 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

BUDGET  HEADING:  B  1-261 

DATE:  7/10/1996 

APPROPRIATIONS: 

TITLE: Three  proposals  for Council  Regulations  fixing  the guide  prices  for  fishery  products  (Annex  I, A,  D  and E, 
Annex  II to  Regulation  (EEC) No  3759/92)  and the  Community  producer price  for tuna (Annex  III) 

LEGAL  BASIS:  Articles  9  and  17 of  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3759/92 

4. 

AIMS  OF  PROJECT:  Annual  fixing  of  prices  in  the  fisheries  sector  (1997  fishing  year) 

FINANCIAL  IMPLICATIONS 

5.0. 

EXPENDITURE 
-  CHARGED  TO  THE  EC  BUDGET 

(INTERVENTION) 

1997 
million  ecu 

5.1. 

5.0.1. 
5.1.1. 

5.2. 

6 0. 

6.1. 

6.2. 

6.3. 

REVENUE 
-  OWN  RESOURCES  OF  THE  EC 
(LEVIES/CUSTOMS  DUTIES) 
-  NATIONAL  ADMINISTRATION 

ESTIMATED  EXPENDITURE 
ESTIMATED  REVENUE 

measure  restricted  to  the  1997  fishing  year  (16.10.96-15.10.97) 

METHOD  OF  CALCULATING  ASSISTANCE  FROM  THE  CMO  BUDGET: 
-  Community  withdrawals: 
-  Community  carry-overs 
-  Autonomous  withdrawals  and  carry-overs 
-  Compensatory  allowance  for  tuna: 
-  Private  storage  aid: 

ECU  16 million 
ECU  3  million 
ECU  4  million 
ECU  9  million 
ECU  0  million 

CAN  THE  PROJECT  BE  FINANCED  FROM  APPROPRIATIONS  ENTERED  IN  THE  RELEVANT 
CHAPTER  OF  THE  CURRENT  BUDGET? 

CAN  THE  PROJECT  BE  FINANCED  BY  TRANSFER  BETWEEN  CHAPTERS  OF  THE  CURRENT 
BUDGET? 

IS  A  SUPPLEMENTARY  BUDGET  NECESSARY? 

WILL  FUTURE  BUDGET  APPROPRIATIONS  BE  NECESSARY? 

NO 

YES 

OBSERVATIONS: 

Since  this  is  a  price  fixing  measure  the  impact  on  expenditure  is  indirect.  The  expenditure  in  question  will 
largely  depend  on  developments  in  the  market  situation  and  on  quantities  landed. 

A^ 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(96) 527 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

03 

Catalogue  number  :  CB-CO-96-532-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-10565-1 

Office  for  Official  Publications of the European  Communities 

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