NLIS 3
September 28, 2005
(Executive Council)
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)
 

Province encouraged by meeting with federal minister

Premier Danny Williams and Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Trevor Taylor are encouraged that federal International Trade Minister James Peterson acknowledges the seriousness of the European Union (EU) shrimp tariff on Newfoundland and Labrador and the necessity to act immediately to find a solution.

The federal minister met with Premier Williams and Minister Taylor on the issue in Ottawa late Monday afternoon and the parties agreed to establish a working group over the next few days to address the issue.

"The EU tariff issue has been a major impediment to the shrimp industry for years and the time has long past for action," Premier Williams said. "Minister Taylor and I expressed to Minister Peterson that this meeting was not just another in a long line of meetings simply to pay lip service to the issue. Action is required immediately. We were very pleased with the reception we received. Minister Peterson was engaged on the issue and anxious to discuss real and meaningful resolutions.�

The province outlined for Minister Peterson the serious impact the excessive 20 per cent tariff is having on the industry and the need for the federal government to make it a priority trade issue. Provincial and federal officials will work together over the next few days to formalize the approach for dealing with the issue in cooperation with industry, with more details to be announced within a week.

�We need to work together toward an immediate solution on the tariff issue and figure out how we are going to move this file forward in the next four weeks,� Minister Taylor said. �Minister Peterson now has a good understanding of how serious this issue is to the province and we look forward to his involvement in ensuring it is addressed. The shrimp tariff is one component of a larger problem that Canadian producers have when trying to export fish products to the EU.�

Market conditions exacerbated by the high 20 per cent tariff on product entering the EU made the processing of shrimp this season largely unfeasible. The limited 7,000 tonnes of shrimp that is permitted into the EU at a reduced tariff rate of six per cent was filled in mid-January of this year, limiting our ability to access that lucrative market.

Minister Taylor also met with federal Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan to solicit his support of the EU tariff issue. He also took the opportunity to raise a number of other issues important to the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery, including encouraging the federal minister against listing cod as an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act.

Minister Taylor also gave the federal minister notice that a delegation from the province will be seeking a meeting with him shortly in regards to a quota for Harbour Breton. The two ministers discussed the potential for aquaculture development and investment as a long-term solution for our rural and coastal communities, including on the Connaigre Peninsula.

Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Premier�s Office, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500
Tracy Barron, Fisheries and Aquaculture, (709) 729-3733,690-6157

2005 09 28                          9:35 a.m.


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