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 1998 fishing year
Date: 1997-11-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: fishery product, guide price, marketing standard, product quality

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 10.11.1997 
COM(97) 556 final 

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 1998 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 1998 fishing year 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 

fixin<*  the Community producer price for tuna intended for the industrial manufacture of products 

falling within CN code 1604 for the 1998 fishing year 

(presented by the Commission) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

The  purpose  of  this  Regulation  is  to  fix  the  guide  prices  for  1998  for  the  products  in 
Annex  1(A),  (D)  and  (E)  to  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3759/92  on  the  common 
organisation  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  stabilisation  of  market  prices, 
support for producers'  incomes and consumers'  interests. 

As  in previous  years,  the  procedure  for  fixing  the  prices  for  1998 has  been  based  on a 
comparison  between  the  average  of  prices  recorded  between  1995  and  the  first  six 
months  of  1997  and  that  for  the  period  between  1994  and  1996,  which  was  used  as  a 
basis for  fixing the guide prices for  1997. 

The  reduction  in  white  fish  prices  recorded  in  the  most  recent  fishing  year  has  eased 
slightly,  giving  rise to a more favourable  situation  between  1995 and  1997 than between 
1994  and  1996 with  more  or  less  stable  prices,  haddock  being  the  notable  exception  (-
4%). Prices for white fish have been higher in the first half of  1997 than they were in the 
first half of 1996. 

In view  of the  long-term  trend  in prices,  the Commission  proposes  an  increase  of  1-3% 
in the prices for  certain species of white fish,  with the exception of dogfish  (Scyliorhinus 
spp),  saithe,  whiting,  hake,  megrim,  Ray's  bream  and  whole  monkfish  for  which  it 
recommends  no  change;  for  dogfish  (Squalus  acanthias),  cod  and  haddock  the 
Commission proposes a cut of  1-2%. 

With  regard  to  pelagic  species,  prices  between  1995  and  1997  (as  compared  with  the 
period  1994-96) varied between -6%  and  +44%, with a less favourable  trend for the  first 
half  of  1997  than  for  the  first  half  of  1996:  from  -39%  to  +28%.  The  Commission 
proposes price changes from  -3%  to  +3% for pelagic species and for albacore. 

As  regards  the  other  species  (shrimps,  crabs,  Norway  lobster  and  cuttlefish),  the 
Commission  proposes  no  change  for  cooked  deep-water  prawns,  + 1%  for  Norway 
lobster,  - 1% for  crabs,  cuttlefish  and  fresh  deep-water  prawns  and  -2%  for  common 
shrimps. 

It is proposed  therefore: 

to  lower  the  guide price  for  dogfish  (Squalus  acanthias)  by  1 %,  for  cod  by  1 %, 
for  haddock  by  2%,  for  Spanish  mackerel  by  3%,  for  anchovy  by  1%,  for 
common  shrimps  by  2%,  for  edible  crab  by  1%,  for  albacore  by  2%  ,  for 
cuttlefish  by  1 % and for fresh deep-water prawns by  1 % ; 

£ 

to  maintain  in  1998  the  guide  prices  applicable  in  1997  for  herring,  dogfish 
(Scyliorhinus  spp.),  saithe,  whiting,  hake,  megrim,  Ray's  bream,  whole 
monkfish,  and cooked deep-water prawn; 

to  raise  the  guide  price  for  sardine,  redfish,  ling,  headed  monkfish  and  Norway 
lobster by  1%,  for  plaice and flounder  by 2%  and  for  mackerel,  dab and  sole by 
3%. 

iliC^Si 

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 1998 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  1998 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 ; 

^ J N o L S S S,  31.12.1992, p. 1 

OJNoL350,  31.12.1994, p. 15. 

^ 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : 

Article 1 

The guide prices for the fishing year from 1  January to 31 December  1998 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 1998. 

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

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 

s~ 

ANNEX 

Commercial specifications  (l) 

Species 

Guide price 
(ECU/tonne) 

Freshness 
category 

Size 

Presentation 

1. Herrings of the species 
Clupea harangue 

2. Sardines of the species 
Sardina pilchardus 

Extra, A 

1 

Whole fish 

Extra 

3 

Whole fish 

3. Picked dogfish 
(Squalus acanthias) 

Extra, A 

2 

Whole fish 
Gutted  fish with head 

4. Catshanks  (Scyliorhinus 

Extra, A 

1 

spp.) 

5. Redfish  (Sebastes spp.) 

6. Cod of the species Gadus 
morhua 

7. Coalfish  (Pollachius 

virens) 

8 . Haddock  (Melanograxnmus  f 
aeglefinus) 

9. Whiting  (Merlangius 
merlangus) 

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 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 

10. Ling  (Molva spp.) 

Extra, A 

1, 2 

Gutted  fish with head 

11. Mackerel of the species 
Scomber  scombrus 

12. Mackerel of the species 
Scomber japonicus 

Extra 
or 
A 

Extra 
or 
A 

Whole fish 

Whole fish 

Whole fish 

Whole fish 

1 

2 

1 

2 

6 

274 

513 

) 1026 
) 

)806 
) 

1132 

) 

) 1461 
) 

) 

)762 
) 

) 

) 1010 

) 

) 

)893 
) 

1139 

) 

)288 

) 

) 

) 303 

13.  Anchovies  (Engraulis  spp.) 

Extra 

14.  Plaice 

(Pleuronectes  platessa) 

15.  Hake  of  the  species 

Merluccius  merluccius 

A 

or 

A 

A 

2 

2 

3 

1 

Whole  fish 

1156 

Gutted  fish  with  head 

from 1.1.1998 } 

Gutted  fish  with  head 

from 1.5.1998 { 

until 30.4.1998 ( 1027 

until 31.12.1998{ 1413 

Gutted  fish  with  head 

3623 

16.  Megrim  (Lepidorhoxnbus 

Extra,  A 

1,  2 

Whole  fish,  gutted  fish 

spp.) 

with  head 

1 7.  Ray's  bream  (Brama  spp.) 

Extra,  A 

1 

Whole  fish 

18.  Monkfish  (Lophius  spp.) 

Extra,  A 

2,  3 

Whole,  or  gutted  with 

19.  Shrimps  of  the  species 

Crangon  crangon 

20.  Edible  crab 

(Cancer 

pagurus) 

21.  Norway  lobster 

(Nephrops  norvegicus) 

22.  Dab 

(Limanda  1imanda) 

23.  Flounder 

(Platichthys  flesus) 

Extra,  A 

2,  3 

Without  head 

head 

A 

-

1 

1 

Simply  boiled  in  water 

Whole 

E,  A 

1,  2 

Whole 

E,  A 

Extra,  A 

2 

1 

Tails 

Gutted  fish  with  head 

Extra,  A 

1 

Gutted  fish  with  head 

24.  Albacore  or  longfinned  tuna 

Extra,  A 

(Thunnus  alalunga) 

1 

1 

Whole  fish 

Gutted  fish  with  head 

25.  Cuttlefish 

Extra,  A 

1,  2 

Whole 

(Sepia  officinalis  and 

Rossia  macrosoma) 

26.  Sole 

(Solea  spp.) 

Extra,  A 

2,  3 

Gutted  fish  with  head 

27.  Deep-water  prawns  (Pandalus 

A 

Borealis) 

A 

1 

1 

Simply  boiled  in  water 

Fresh  or  chilled 

2289 

1782 

2664 

5503 

2334 

1749 

5129 

4303 

961 

558 

2061 

2404 

1566 

6326 

6324 

1673 

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

No  3759/92 

^ 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

Regulation  (EEC)  No  3759/92  on  the  common  organisation  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  1998  to  Illex  and  Loligo  squid, 
cuttlefish,  hake fillets  and shrimps (other Penaeidae)  should be reduced. 

In these circumstances  the Commission  proposes  to adjust the Community  guide prices  in 
line with market trends  and thus reduce the price  for  Illex  squid  by  2%,  for  Loligo  squid 
by  3%,  for  cuttlefish  by  1%,  for  hake  fillets  by  2%  and  for  shrimps  (other  Penaeidae) 
by 2% for the  1998  fishing  year. 

On  the  other  hand,  since  prices  for  other  species  have  risen,  guide  prices  for  octopus, 
Greenland halibut and sea bream should be  increased  by 4%,  1 %  and 2%  respectively. 

The  Commission  proposes  to  maintain  the  prices  for  whole  hake  and  shrimps 
(Parapenaeus  longirostris). 

t 

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 1998 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  3318/942,  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  increased,  maintained  or  decreased 

according to the species for the 1998 fishing year, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : 

Article 1 

The  guide prices  for  the  fishing  year  1 January  to  31 December  1998  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. 

*OJ No L 388, 31.12.1992, p.  1. 

2OJNoL350,  31.12.1994, p. 15. 

9 

Article 2 

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1  January 1998. 

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

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 

A o 

ANNEX 

(ECU/tonne) 

GROUP OF PRODUCTS 

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS 

GUIDE PRICE 

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

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

2. Squid of the species Loligo  patagonica 

3. Squid 

(Ommastrephes sagittatus) 

4. Illex argentinus 

5. Cuttlefish of the species  Sepia officinalis.  Rossia 
macrosoma  and Scpiola  rondcletti 

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 

6. Octopus (Octopus spp.) 

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 

7. Lesser or Greenland  halibut  (Rcinhardtius 
hippoglossoides) 

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 

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. 

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products 

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 

1556 

1025 

961 

879 

1948 

!()87 

1919 

1290 

1561 

4120 
7825 

L) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

Regulation  (EEC)  No  3759/92  on  the  common  organisation  of  the  market  in  fishery 
products  provides  that,  for  tuna  intended  for  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 
and prices rose sharply during the first six months of  1997. 

However,  the  Community  producer  price  fixed  for  1997  (1204  E/T)  remains  above  the 
average price  for  the three previous fishing  years  (1162 E/T),  and  competitiveness  in the 
canning  sector  means that prudence  should  be exercised  when  fixing  prices.  Under  these 
circumstances  the Commission proposes to increase  Community  producer  prices  for  tuna 
by  1% for the  1998 fishing  year. 

)2u 

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 1998 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 1998 fishing year should be increased, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

OJ NoL388,31.12.1992, p. 1. 

OJNo L 350,31.12.1994,p.  15. 

j 

r> 

Article 1 

The  Community  producer  price  for  the  fishing  year  1 January  to  31  December  1998  for  tuna  (of  the  genus 

Thuniius), 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 

1216 

albacares) 

10 kg each 

(ECU/tonne) 

Article 2 

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1  January 1998. 

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

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 

J¥ 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

BUDGET HEADING: B  1-261 

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 

AIMS OF PROJECT: Annual fixing of prices in the fisheries sector (1998 fishing  year) 

5. 

5.0. 

5.1. 

5.0.1. 
5.1.1. 

5.2. 

6.0. 

6.1. 

6.2. 

6.3. 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

EXPENDITURE 
- CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET 
(INTERVENTION ) 
- NATIONAL AUTHORITIES 

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

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 
ESTIMATED REVENUE 

1998 
million ecu 

27.5 

measure restricted to the  1998 fishing year (16.10.97-15.10.98) 

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  16,5 million 
ECU 2 million 
ECU 5 million 
ECU 4 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. 

)C 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97) 556 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

03  10 

Catalogue number  :  CB-CO-97-588-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-26857-7 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European  Communities 

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