EU REJECTS SALMON MINIMUM PRICE.

A Scottish Office minister qngrily criticised Mrs Emma Bonino, the European Union fisheries commissioner, last night after she turned down the UK's reauest for a minimum import price on farmed salmon.

Britain had sought the imposition of a minimum price to protect Scottish salmon farmers against imports from Norway, which the Scots say have driven salmon prices to an all-time low.

Mr. Raymond Robertson, the Scottish office minister responsible for fisheries, said he was "appalled by the lack of sensitivity shown for Scottish salmon growers". He said it was an insult that he had been ushered in and out of Mrs Bonino's Brussels office within 20 minutes - less time than his taxi journey from the airport took.

Mr Robertson rejected Mrs. Bonino's claim that salmon prices were now stable.

However, prices have rsen since November 22 when Britain requested the minimum price, partly because of strunger demand leading un to Christmas.

Some European Commission officials doubt the effectiveness of minimum import prices, and Mrs. Bonino is thought to have been lobbied heavily by Norway, Wich is not in the EU, and Germany and Denmark, both big salmon importers.