The European Commission is imposing safeguard
measures against imports of farmed salmon to the EU market starting
on 6 February. These measures will include both a minimum import
price and a tariff quota. The Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs
Svein Ludvigsen says that it is regrettable that the EU has chosen
to protect a minority of non-competitive Scottish fish farmers at
the expense of efficient Norwegian salmonfarmers. According to the
WTO Agreement on Safeguards , there is no basis for the
measures. Among other things, the
Commission’s resolution entails that country-specific tariff quotas
will be established, based on historical trade with a surcharge of
10 per cent. Imports above the quota will be charged an extra duty.
In addition, a system will be established with a minimum import
price (MIP), which will apply to all imports, even those within the
quota. Up to 15 April, the level of the MIP will be EUR 2.70/kg for
whole fish , which is equivalent to EUR 3.00/kg for gutted fish.
After 15 April, the MIP will be increased to EUR 2.85/kg (EUR 3.17
for gutted fish), but it may be adjusted again at a later
stage. To protect Norwegian interests, the
government has had extensive contact on this matter with officials
at a high level in the Commission and the member states. Norwegian
diplomatic missions in the member states have also had a regular
dialogue with the authorities in the host countries and presented
Norwegian views. Many member states with working places in the fish
processing industry are against the introduction of protective
measures. In spite of this, the Commission has implemented
measures. European consumers will also be among the losers in this
matter, and European consumer organisations have come out strongly
against safeguard measures on farmed salmon. The EU’s fish
processing industry will also sustain losses. Norway insists that the WTO
criteria’s are not met in this case.. There has been no serious
damage to the EU’s salmon industry as a result of the imports of
salmon. The problems which a minority of the EU’s salmon
farming industry have complained about, are due to other
circumstances, such as the regulatory framework and structural
problems for small Scottish salmon farmers. The salmon industry
operates in a highly competitive global market. Only a small
percentage of the EU’s least competitive players support the call
for safeguard measures. The Norwegian side has repeatedly
argued that protective measures will damage normal trade, a
well-functioning single market and healthy competition in general.
Trade relations within the European Economic Area (EEA) ought to be
based on well-functioning competition without disrupting
regulations. During the past year, Norwegian
authorities have had a dialogue with the European Commission with
the aim of finding other solutions. A number of meetings have been
held, based on a mutually expressed wish to avoid safeguard
measures. On the Norwegian side – both the authorities and the
industry – they were willing to introduce market-balancing
measures. The Norwegian salmon farming
industry is efficient and competitive without any form of
government support. Norway’s goal has been to find a long-term
solution that will help maintain a fair and predictable trade
regime. Both Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen and Minister
of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Svein Ludvigsen argue that it is
highly regrettable that the Commission has not shown the will to
find any solutions other than unilateral trade measures. Consultations with the EU in
accordance with the WTO Agreement on Safeguards were held in
Brussels on 31 January. The Norwegian authorities will consider
pursuing the matter through the WTO Dispute Settlement
Body. | 