CELEX: 51997PC0556(01)
Language: en
Date: 1997-11-10
Title: 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

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)
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                            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 % ;
                                               £
 ---pagebreak--- 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
 ---pagebreak---                                     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.
                                                   ^
 ---pagebreak--- 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~
 ---pagebreak---                                                  ANNEX
                                          Commercial specifications (l)
              Species                                                                Guide price
                                                                                     (ECU/tonne)
                                  Freshness   Size      Presentation
                                   category
1. Herrings of the species      Extra, A      1         Whole fish            274
Clupea harangue
2. Sardines of the species      Extra         3         Whole fish            513
Sardina pilchardus
3. Picked dogfish               Extra, A      2         Whole fish            ) 1026
(Squalus acanthias)                                     Gutted fish with head )
4. Catshanks    (Scyliorhinus   Extra, A      1         Whole fish            )806
spp.)                                                   Gutted fish with head )
5. Redfish    (Sebastes spp.)   A             2         Whole fish            1132
6. Cod of the species Gadus     A             2         Gutted fish with head )
morhua                          or                                            ) 1461
                                A             3         Gutted fish with head )
7. Coalfish    (Pollachius      A             2         Gutted fish with head )
virens)                         or                                            )762
                                A             3         Gutted fish with head )
8 . Haddock   (Melanograxnmus f A             2         Gutted fish with head )
aeglefinus)                     or                                            ) 1010
                                A             3         Gutted fish with head )
9. Whiting (Merlangius          A             2         Gutted fish with head )
merlangus)                      or                                            )893
                                A             3         Gutted fish with head )
10. Ling    (Molva spp.)        Extra, A      1, 2      Gutted fish with head  1139
11. Mackerel of the species     Extra          1        Whole fish            )
Scomber scombrus                or                                            )288
                                A              2        Whole fish            )
12. Mackerel of the species     Extra          1        Whole fish            )
Scomber japonicus               or
                                A              2        Whole fish            ) 303
                                               6
 ---pagebreak--- 13. Anchovies      (Engraulis spp.)   Extra     2         Whole fish                  1156
14.   Plaice                          A         2         Gutted fish with head      from 1.1.1998 }
(Pleuronectes platessa)               or                                             until 30.4.1998 ( 1027
                                      A          3         Gutted fish with head     from 1.5.1998 {
                                                                                     until 31.12.1998{ 1413
15. Hake of the species               A          1         Gutted fish with head     3623
Merluccius merluccius
16. Megrim     (Lepidorhoxnbus        Extra, A   1, 2      Whole fish, gutted fish   2289
spp.)                                                      with head
1 7 . Ray's bream   (Brama spp.)      Extra, A   1         Whole fish                 1782
18. Monkfish      (Lophius spp.)      Extra, A   2, 3      Whole, or gutted with     2664
                                                           head
                                      Extra, A   2, 3      Without head              5503
19. Shrimps of the species            A          1         Simply boiled in water    2334
Crangon crangon
                                                                                      1749
20. Edible crab       (Cancer          -         1         Whole
pagurus)
21. Norway    lobster                  E, A      1, 2      Whole                      5129
 (Nephrops norvegicus)
                                       E, A      2         Tails                     4303
 22. Dab                               Extra, A  1         Gutted fish with head      961
 (Limanda 1imanda)
 23.   Flounder                        Extra, A   1        Gutted fish with head      558
 (Platichthys   flesus)
 24. Albacore or longfinned tuna       Extra, A   1        Whole fish                 2061
 (Thunnus alalunga)                               1        Gutted fish with head      2404
 25.   Cuttlefish                      Extra, A   1, 2     Whole                      1566
 (Sepia officinalis and
   Rossia macrosoma)
 26. Sole                              Extra, A   2, 3      Gutted fish with head     6326
  (Solea spp.)
 27. Deep-water prawns      (Pandalus  A          1         Simply boiled in water    6324
 Borealis)
                                       A          1         Fresh or chilled          1673
 (1) The freshness categories, sizes and presentation are defined pursuant to Article 2 of Regulation       (EEC)
      N o 3759/92
                                                     ^
 ---pagebreak---                             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
 ---pagebreak---                                     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.
           2
             OJNoL350, 31.12.1994, p. 15.
                                                          9
 ---pagebreak---                      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
                                                     Ao
 ---pagebreak---                                  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               1556
                                                       products
2. Squid of the species Loligo   patagonica             Frozen, not cleaned, in original packages containing the same             1025
                                                       products
3. Squid (Ommastrephes sagittatus)                      Frozen, not cleaned, in original packages containing the same               961
                                                       products
4. Illex argentinus                                     Frozen, not cleaned, in original packages containing the same              879
                                                       products
5. Cuttlefish of the species Sepia officinalis. Rossia  Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                 1948
macrosoma and Scpiola rondcletti
6. Octopus (Octopus spp.)                              Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                  !()87
7. Lesser or Greenland halibut (Rcinhardtius           Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                  1919
hippoglossoides)
8. Whole hake of the genus Merluccius spp.             Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                  1290
9. Fillets of hake of the genus Merluccius spp.        Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                  1561
10. - Prawns of the species Parapenaeus longirostris   Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                  4120
 -Other species of the family Penaeidae                                                                                           7825
                                                       Frozen, in original packages containing the same products
                                                                          L)
 ---pagebreak---                           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
 ---pagebreak---                                              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>
 ---pagebreak---                                                         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 :
                                                                                               (ECU/tonne)
             Species               Commercial specifications      Community producer price
  Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus         Whole, weighing more than                  1216
  albacares)                      10 kg each
                                                        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¥
 ---pagebreak---                               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.     FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS                                                                        1998
                                                                                                  million ecu
5.0.   EXPENDITURE                                                                                   27.5
       - CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET
         (INTERVENTION )
       - NATIONAL AUTHORITIES
5.1.   RECEIPTS
       - OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC
         (LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES)
       - NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
5.0.1.  ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE                                        measure restricted to the 1998 fishing year (16.10.97-15.10.98)
5.1.1.  ESTIMATED REVENUE
5.2.   METHOD OF CALCULATING ASSISTANCE FROM THE CMO BUDGET:
       - Community withdrawals:                                                      ECU 16,5 million
        - Community carry-overs                                                      ECU 2 million
        - Autonomous withdrawals and carry-overs                                     ECU 5 million
        - Compensatory allowance for tuna:                                           ECU 4 million
        - Private storage aid:                                                       ECU 0 million
6.0.    CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT
        CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET?
6.1.    CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE CURRENT
        BUDGET?
6.2.    IS A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET NECESSARY?                                                                                  NO
6.3.    WILL FUTURE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS BE NECESSARY?                                                                       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
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                                   ISSN 0254-1475
                                                          COM(97) 556 final
                                             DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                    03 10
                                    Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-588-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92-78-26857-7
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