MEP Gallagher - Cheap seafood imports into the EU must be curtailed

Speech by Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP on the Cadec report on arrangements for importing fishery and aquaculture products into the EU, Strasbourg, 08 July 2010

"The decline in fish prices in recent years is directly and substantially caused by competition from imports of both wild and farmed fish product."

"The producers of these products are not subject to the demanding regimes that are required of EU operators in areas such as conservation and hygiene standards and can therefore enter European markets at prices that are uneconomic for European operators."

"In the context of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, this issue has to be addressed if the fishing industry in Europe and in Ireland is to survive."

"There is a huge reliance on imported goods to meet the Community demand. In Ireland, for example, seafood imports are as high as 46,000 tonnes per annum valued at €181 million. Regrettably, there appears to be a lack of awareness of imported fish versus wild caught fish among consumers in Ireland."

"By fully developing the aquaculture sector in Europe and in Ireland we have an opportunity to substitute for imports. However, we must ensure that the unnecessary red tape stifling the sector at the present time is simplified and that all governmental departments and agencies are mandated to work in tandem."

ENDS