March 31, 2006

 

Minimum import price system stabilises Scottish salmon market

 

Trade defence measures implemented by the European Commission have brought renewed stability to the Scottish salmon farming market, delegates at an Edinburgh conference were told on Mar 29.

 

Speaking during the opening session of Aquaculture Today 2006, David Wilson, Director of the Scottish Executive Marine Group said the introduction of the Minimum Import Price (MIP) regime for Norwegian salmon has had an impact on the market.

 

"Trade defence measures have brought renewed stability to the market and it's important we use that stability, whether in Scotland or elsewhere in the EU, to make sure we have an industry that can show stability into the future and can evolve and develop a strong market position, which it has done," he said.

 

On Jan 21, the EU gave the MIP regime the green light for a five-year regime with a Minimum Import Price of GBP2.8 per kilogramme for whole fresh and frozen farmed salmon from Norway.

 

Commenting on Norway's decision to seek a resolution to the dispute through the World Trade Organization, Wilson said:"Everyone would have preferred a resolution through consultation and discussion, rather then entering into a dispute resolution."

 

Juan Ronco, Director of Aquaculture, Maritime & Coastal Affairs, EU Commission agreed that, over the years, trade defence measures have led to price stabilisation.

 

Referring to a graph showing price fluctuations for fresh Atlantic salmon he said, "Every time there has been intervention, the price has stabilised."

 

Speaking of Norway's decision to pursue the matter through the WTO, Havard Tvinnereim, Project Coordinator with the Norwegian Ministry for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs said Norway was left with little choice but to take this action.

 

"We would have preferred to resolve the dispute through cooperation," he added.

 

He said that the WTO trade dispute process is likely to take between a year and a year-and-a-half to conclude.

 

Aquaculture Today 2006 is organised by Fish Farmer magazine and is being held in the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh, Mar 29-30.