92001E1156

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1156/01

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 April 2001)

Subject: Tuna steaks

The European Union promised Mexico, within the Free Trade Area Agreement, that it would investigate the possibility of opening a tuna steak quota with a preferential tariff before 1 September 2001.

1. Does the Commission believe that the opening of a new quota for tuna steaks from Mexico is necessary?

2. What stage have the negotiations reached?

3. Has the Commission carried out an assessment of the impact on the EU's fishing fleet and tuna processing industry of the possible opening of a tuna steak quota with a preferential tariff for Mexico?

4. Has the Commission assessed the impact of this possible quota on the European tuna canning industry and the tuna fleet?

5. Does the Commission not believe that opening a fresh quota for tuna steaks, with a preferential tariff, could have a seriously detrimental effect on the European industry's current position, given the possibility that new tuna steak processing industries will be set up in various Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Under Article 10(5) of Decision No 2/2000 of the EC-Mexico Joint Council(1), the Commission is required to enter into discussions on this subject with the Mexican authorities no later than 1 September 2001. However, given the current arrangements for imports of tuna loins into the Community, which provide, amongst other things, for the existence of an autonomous quota erga omnes, the Commission does not consider it necessary to open a new quota for tuna loins originating in Mexico.

The Commission is aware of the deadlines fixed by the Agreement but it is not at present engaged in negotiations on this subject. Nevertheless the Commission intends to implement the commitments it entered into under the Agreement and in particular under the above Decision.

The Commission would like to remind the Honourable Member of the study on the assessment of supply of tuna loins to the Community market, of which it received a copy on 7 January 2000, point 3.6.3 of which deals specifically with Mexico. The Commission does not consider it useful, at this stage, to carry out new studies.

The effects of opening a tariff quota for tuna loins were assessed in the above study, taking into account all possible sources of supply of tuna loins, including Mexico.

Given the current arrangements mentioned in point 1, there should not be any impact on the Community industry.

(1) OJ L 157, 30.6.2000 and OJ L 245, 29.9.2000.