NEWS RELEASES

October 7, 2005 (11:00 a.m. EDT)
No. 178

FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL MINISTERS ANNOUNCE MEMBERS OF NEW WORKING GROUP ON SHRIMP

International Trade Minister Jim Peterson, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan and Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Trevor Taylor today announced the creation of a working group on shrimp. Its goal will be to recommend options for the East Coast shrimp industry in the face of high EU tariffs. The working group is a direct result of talks that took place between Minister Peterson, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams and Minister Taylor on September 26, 2005.

The group’s membership will include representatives of federal and provincial government departments, the Fisheries Council of Canada, the Canadian Association of Prawn Producers, the Association of Seafood Producers, and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union.

“We’ve heard the appeal from the industry and we understand its needs,” said Minister Peterson. “Opening the market to our shrimp creates a win-win situation: European Union consumers want our shrimp, and we want to provide it to them. Through this working group, we are cooperating with those directly affected.”

Chaired by the Deputy Minister of International Trade, the group will provide advice on how to support the efforts of Canada’s shrimp industry to increase exports to the EU. It will present its recommendations to Minister Peterson by the end of November.

“The federal government will work closely with the fishing industry and the provinces on the EU market access problem to achieve a positive outcome for shrimp exporters,” said Minister Regan.

“As a province, we can’t stress enough the urgent need to find a solution to the 20 percent tariff on shrimp going into the EU,” Minister Taylor said. “In that regard, we are pleased that Minister Peterson and Minister Regan have recognized the seriousness of this situation and have created this working group. This issue needs to be resolved in short order to ensure the viability of our industry.”

The fish and fish products sector is a top priority for Canada in terms of achieving a permanent reduction of tariffs in the context of the ongoing Doha Round negotiations.

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