April 1, 1999 (4:00 p.m. EST) No. 73

BETTER ACCESS TO EU MARKET

FOR CANADIAN SHRIMP EXPORTS

International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today noted good news for Canadian shrimp exporters. After an extended Canadian campaign in Europe, a March 30 decision from the European Union's Council of Fisheries Ministers will lower European duty rates on boiled and peeled coldwater shrimp from April 1 to December 31, 1999.

"As of today, we've got better access to the European market, especially for shrimp processed on shore," said Minister Marchi. "This comes after more than a year of concerted representations by me, by Canadian diplomats in Europe, by federal and Newfoundland officials and by the Fisheries Council of Canada."

The duty will be dropped from 20 percent to 6 percent on 4 000 tonnes of boiled and peeled shrimp entering the European market in 1999.

In 1998, despite the 20 percent tariff, Canadian companies succeeded in exporting 1 900 tonnes of processed shrimp to Europe, worth $17.7 million.

Newfoundland's in-shore shrimp fishery is especially poised to benefit. In 1998, the size of that fishery was up to a Total Allowable Catch of 30 000 tonnes. It is increasingly oriented to value-added processed products, and a main market is Europe.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Leslie Swartman

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874