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A worker monitors canned tuna coming through on a processing line. (Photo: ANFACO)
Brussels promises to protect canning sector
SPAIN
Friday, March 05, 2010, 23:40 (GMT + 9)
The National Association of Canned Fish and Shellfish Manufacturers (ANFACO) defended the need for the European Commission (EC) and its Directorate-Generals to consider the interests of the Spanish and Community canning industries when negotiating commercial agreements with third-party countries.
A delegation of the Association headed by its Secretary General, Juan Vieites, met Thursday in Brussels with the Cabinet deputy of Trade Commissioner Frank Hoffmeister, and with several representatives of this Directorate-General of the EC, in a bid to defend the interests of the marine resource processing industry.
ANFACO informed DG Trade that the EC behaved with little sensitivity with respect to the interests of their own Community tuna fishing industry in signing the Pacific Partnership Agreement, together with Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
The organisation contends that this agreement seriously harms the competitiveness and future viability of the tuna freezer fleet and the canning industry of the European Union (EU), in facilitating the entry to the community market of canned tuna elaborated by the main competitors of the European tuna industry (Thailand and the Philippines, among others) under preferential conditions.
ANFACO also criticised the way in which Brussels adopts these types of measures without previously consulting the community sector and without carrying out a previous, serious and rigorous study that evaluates the impact of this type of action.
For the Association, it is essential to demand compliance with norms in labour, hygienic-sanitary and environmental matters to industries located in those third-party countries, beneficiaries in the Agreements, as indeed happens with the Galician and Spanish canning industry.
After learning of ANFACO’s opinions, DG Trade assured that canned and ready-made tuna products will be considered "sensitive products" in future negotiations.
Finally, the delegates of ANFACO also met with euro-mps Pablo Zalba Bidegain and Francisco Jose Millan Mon; and with representatives of the Association of Industries of Community Fisheries (AIPCE) to exchange opinions and considerations with respect to the canned products matter.
Related article:
- Association looks ‘to defend’ the canning sector
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member  ANFACO-CECOPESCA -Asociacion Nacional de Fabricantes de Conservas de Pescados y Mariscos-
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