CELEX: 51996PC0527(01)
Language: en
Date: 1996-10-28
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 1997 fishing year

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)
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                          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.
The reduction in white fish prices recorded between 1994 and 1996 fluctuated between - 1 % and -11% for
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.
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.
 ---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 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 ;
         1
           O J N o L 3 8 8 , 31.12.1992, p. 1.
         *OJ No L 350, 31.12.1994, p. 15.
                                                       h
 ---pagebreak--- 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
 ---pagebreak---                                                    ANNEX
                                            Commercial specifications i1)
             Species                                                                    Guide price
                                    Freshness    Size      Presentation                 (ECU/tonne)
                                    category
1. Herrings of the species        Extra, A       1         Whole fish             275
Clupaa hareng-us
2. Sardines of the species        Extra          3         Whole fish             508
Sardina pilchardus
3. Picked dogfish                 Extra, A                 Whole fish             ) 1036
 (Squalus acanthias)                                       Gutted fish with head
4. Catshanks   (Scyliorhinua      Extra, A       1         Whole fish             ) 806
spp.)                                                      Gutted fish with he.ad
5. Redfish   (Sebastes spp.)      A              2         Whole fish             1121
6. Cod of the species Gadua       A              2         Gutted fish with head
morhua                            or                                              ) 1431
                                  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 (Melanograamus         A              2         Gutted fish with head
aeglefinus)                       or                                              ) 1031
                                  A              3         Gutted fish with head
9. Whiting (Merlangius            A              2         Gutted fish with head
marlangus)                        or                                              ) 893
                                  A              3         Gutted fish with head
10. Ling   (Molva spp.)           Extra, A       1, 2      Gutted fish with head   1117
11. Mackerel, of the species      Extra          1         whole fish
Scomber scpnbrus                  or                                              ) 280
                                  A              2         Whole fish
12. Mackerel of the species       Extra          1         Whole fish
Scomber japonicus                 or                                              ) 312
                                  A              2         Whole fish
13. Anchovies    (Engraulis spp.) Extra          2         Whole fish              1156
14. Plaice                        A              2         Gutted fish with head  1.1.1997    )
(Pleuronectes platessa)           or                                              - 30.4.1997 } 998
                                  A              3         Gutted fish with head  1.5.1997    {'
                                                                                  - 31.12..1997{ 1372
                                                     -5"
 ---pagebreak---   15. Hake of the species           A             1         Gutted fish with head     3623
 Marluccius marluccius
  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
                                                           head
                                    Extra, A      2, 3     Without head              5449
  19. Shrimps of the species        A             1        Simply boiled in water    2327
 Crangon crangon
  20. Edible crab   (Cancer         -             1        Whole                     1767
 pagurus)
 21. Norway lobster                 E, A         1, 2      Whole                     5078
  (Nephrops norvégiens)
                                   E, A          2         Tails                     4130
 22. Dab                           Extra, A      1         Gutted fish with head     933
  (Limanda limanda)
 23. Flounder                      Extra, A      1         Gutted fish with head     547
  (Platichthys flesus)
 24. Albacore or longfinned tuna   Extra, A      1         Whole fish                2103
  (Thunnus alalunga)                             1         Gutted fish with head     2453
 25. Cuttlefish                    Extra, A      1, 2      Whole                     1582
 (Sepia officinalis and
   Rossia macrosoma)
•26. Sole                          Extra, A               Gutted fish with head      6142
 (Solea spp.)
 27. Deep-water prawns   (Pandalus A             1         Simply boiled in water    6200
 Borealis)
                                   A             1         Fresh or chilled          1690
(1) The freshness categories, sizes and presentation are defined pursuant to Article 2 of Regulation (EEC)
     No 3759/92
                                                    e
 ---pagebreak---                                       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
 ---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 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.
          2
            O J N o L 3 5 0 , 31.12.1994, p. 15.
 ---pagebreak---                      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
                                                         <\
 ---pagebreak---                                    ANNEX
                                                           (ECU/tonne)
                  GROUP OF PRODUCTS                                     COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS                       GUIDE PRICE
  1. Sea-bream (Dentex dentex and Pagellus spp.)          Frozen, in lots or in original packages containing the same               1525
                                                         products
  2. Squid of the species Loligo paUgonica               Frozen, not cleaned, in original packages containing the same              1013
                                                         products
  3. Squid (Ommastrephes sagittatus)                     Frozen, not cleaned, in original pacicages containing the same              961
                                                         products
  4. Illex argentinus                                    Frozen, not cleaned, in original pacicages containing the same               897
I
                                                         products
  5. Cuttlefish of the species Sepia officinalis, Rossia Frozen, in original pacicages containing the same products                 1968
  macrosoma and Sepiola rondeletti
  6. Octopus (Octopus spp.)                              Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                  1875
  7. Lesser or Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius           Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                  1900
  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                  1593
  10. - Prawns of the species Parapenaeus longirostris   Frozen, in original packages containing the same products                  4080
   - Other species of the family Penaeidae                                                                                          7985
                                                         Frozen, in original packages containing the same products
                                                                                 ^D
 ---pagebreak---                                      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
 ---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 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
                OJ No L 388, 31.12.1992, p. 1.
         2
                O J N o L 350,31.12.1994, p. 15.                //£_
 ---pagebreak---                                                         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 :
                                                                                               (ECU/tonne)
            Species               Commercial specifications       Community producer price
 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus          Whole, weighing more than                   1168
 albacares)                       10 kg each
                                                       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
 ---pagebreak---                              FINANCIAL STATEMENT
                                                                                          DATE: 7/10/1996
       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
4.     AIMS OF PROJECT: Annual fixing of prices in the fisheries sector (1997 fishing year)
       FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS                                                                  1997
                                                                                           million ecu
5.0.   EXPENDITURE
       - CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET
         (INTERVENTION)
5.1.   REVENUE
       - OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC
         (LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES)
       - NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
5.0.1. ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE                                    measure restricted to the 1997 fishing year (16.10.96-15.10.97)
5.1.1. ESTIMATED REVENUE
5.2.   METHOD OF CALCULATING ASSISTANCE FROM THE CMO BUDGET:
       - Community withdrawals:                                                         ECU 16 million
       - Community carry-overs                                                          ECU 3 million
       - Autonomous withdrawals and carry-overs                                         ECU 4 million
       - Compensatory allowance for tuna:                                               ECU 9 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.
                                                                   A^
 ---pagebreak---                                                                   ISSN 0254-1475
                                                           COM(96) 527 final
                                             DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                            03
                                    Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-532-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92-78-10565-1
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