91999E0684

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0684/99

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

(26 March 1999)

Subject: 1999 tariff quotas for tuna loins

Given that the capacity for the supply of tuna loins, under favourable tariff conditions, from GSP, ACP and Community countries is approximately 129 500 tonnes, enough to supply the European market at current levels of demand, and taking into account the fact that in 1997 Europe imported 38 940 tonnes of tuna loins and that therefore demand was comfortably met, will the Commission clarify the quantitative criteria on which it bases its proposal to open a tariff quota for 1999 which is untenable in view of the quantities currently available, at a time when delegations from some EU countries are even prepared to reach a compromise to create contractual arrangements based on international prices between the fishing industry and those sectors of the Italian processing industry which may require such arrangements, so guaranteeing the supply of raw material?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1999)

The Commission cannot confirm the figure put forward by the Honourable Member for the quantities of tuna loins available from Community countries, "GSP-Drugs" States and the ACP States. The figures given to the Commission by the Member States producing tuna loins are much lower than those cited by the Honourable Member.

When the Commission drew up its proposal to open autonomous tariff quotas, it took account of the Member States' requests and the state of the Community market.

In the case of the tariff quota for tuna loins, the Commission noted that the Community did not produce enough tuna loins to meet its needs. Indeed, the Community canning industry has to make increasing use of imports from third countries. This observation was confirmed by figures provided on 15 January 1999 by the Spanish producer group "Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Conservas de Pescado y Marisco" (Anfaco). Their statistics show that Spain, the main Member State producing tuna loins, is itself unable to supply its canning industry fully.

The Commission would also point out that, when imports from countries enjoying preferential treatment (the ACP and "GSP-Drugs" States) take place in accordance with the rules of origin - to which the Honourable Member rightly attaches great importance - they are still insufficient to supply the Community canning industry.