B4-1565, 1566, 1567, 1568, 1569 and 1570/95

Resolution on the crisis in the salmon sector

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions on the crisis in the EU salmon sector,

A.whereas the dumping of Norwegian salmon on the European market, which has been going on since 1989, has resulted in price instability on the EU salmon market with a knock-on effect on other fish products throughout the European Union,

B.whereas, due to an increase of 27% in Norwegian salmon exports to the Union in the first nine months of this year and the resulting 21% reduction in the price of salmon on the Community market, the industry is again in crisis,

C.whereas Norwegian production of salmon is set to increase further in 1996,

D.whereas salmon production, in particular in Scotland and Ireland, is a vital source of employment in many rural areas with Objective 1 status; whereas price stability is essential for the future of the industry,

1.Calls on the Commission to take urgent action to reimpose a realistic minimum import price on salmon;

2.Calls on the Commission to explore a longer term solution within the context of the EEA Agreement;

3.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Norwegian Government.