October 7, 2005
No. 178
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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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
International Trade Canada
(613)995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Sujata Raisinghani
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(613) 992-3474
Sophie Galarneau
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(613) 990-7537
Tracy Barron
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-3733
(709) 690-6157
