June 2, 2008

EU to lift anti-dumping duty on salmon

The European Commission's anti-dumping committee has voted to lift punitive duty on Norwegian salmon, despite objections from the UK and Ireland.

The vote to raise the sanctions was believed to be 25-2, with the UK and Ireland voting against.

The long-running dispute was brought to a head at the end of last year when the World Trade Organisation Disputes Panel ruled that the EU measures of higher duty on Norwegian farmed salmon had no basis.

The Panel found that the European Communities had acted inconsistently with several of the articles governing anti dumping measures.

The decision has received strong criticism from the European Salmon Growers Association (ESGA), which, according to reports in Scotland Press and Journal, is to appeal to the European Courts against the decision to lift the duty.

The ESGA is concerned that it will open the market to cheap salmon and destabilise the market.

The European Council of Ministers is expected to take a final decision on lifting the duty in July.