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. |