EU cod recovery plan delayed; EU changing position on fishing subsidies; UK fishermen fear for future; US drops dumping charges against Chileans; Russia shows trade surplus with EU; Peruvian landings up, exports down

摘要

The European Commission has failed to meet its February 15 deadline for drafting a comprehensive strategy to revive cod and hake stocks in EU waters. It said further consultation with the fishing industry was needed, but refused to yield to UK fishermen's demands to drop the days at sea limits. The EU has indicated that it will no longer side with Japan and South Korea to defend fishing subsidies at the World Trade Organisation. It says it will soon present its ideas on fish stock conservation to the WTO. Scottish white fish fishermen will be forced to take up the government's offer of vessel decommissioning money, but may face financial ruin if they do, according to one producer organisation. Meanwhile, the body that represents English fishermenis seeking a judicial review of the days at sea restrictions, also warning that fishermen will be forced into insolvency. The US department of commerce has dismissed allegations that 17 companies were dumping salmon at below cost price on the US market.As a result, 90 percent of Chilean salmon will in future be exported to the US duty free. Latest statistics from Russia show that the country had a fish trade surplus of over US185 million dollar with the EU in 2001. Russian economists say EU import duties and export subsidies prevent the surplus from being even higher. They advocate a lowering of these trade barriers and increased cooperation between the two sides on fisheries. Peruvian fish landings grew by 9 percent in 2002. thanks to better catchesfor fishmeal and oil production. However, exports were down 6 percent in value and production for human consumption fell.