June 11, 2007

Canada strikes shrimp deal with the EU

Canada has won a 3-year deal with the EU that would double the amount of shrimps allowed to be exported to the EU at a lower tariff rate.

Most Canadian shrimps are imported into the EU with a 20 percent tariff, with a small amount subject to a lower six percent.

The deal would double the amount of shrimp allowed under the lower tariff rate, from 10,000 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes.

Loyola Sullivan, Canada's ambassador for fisheries conservation, said the change is good news, but that Canada would like a better and more permanent arrangement for shrimp exports.

The deal applies only to cooked and peeled shrimp as processed shrimp is automatically assessed the highest tariff.