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Tuna fishing vessel. (Photo: Anfaco)
Review of EU pact with Pacific States questioned by Anfaco
SPAIN
Monday, July 25, 2011, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
The National Association of Manufacturers of Canned Fish and Seafood (Anfaco) expressed dissatisfaction with the team of consultants selected by the European Commission (EC) to review the agreements that the European Union (EU) keep with Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
The Association believes that there is a "conflict of interest" as the experts chosen for the task are linked to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), a body responsible for advising on fisheries management in the Pacific Ocean.
To Anfaco, the FFA has always had a "belligerent" attitude against tuna companies in Europe. It is composed of Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Anfaco questions the "neutrality and objectivity" of the team of experts, thereby claiming the EC should "rectify this serious and obvious conflict of interest."
It also believed that the Pacific Association and Collaboration Agreement seriously affects the community interests and benefits Papua New Guinea.
Papua tuna industry expects to produce roughly 1,330 tonnes of tuna per day throughout the next two years.
If this is embodied, it could become the new worldwide tuna leader in 2013, while it will greatly harm the 67 canneries in Galicia and their 12,000 employees.
On behalf of the canning industry in Spain, Anfaco communicated with the EC, the European Parliament (EP) and the central government and rejected the three selected persons -- Liam Campling, Amanda Hamilton and Anthony Lewis -- to conduct the study on the impact that the repeal of the rules of origin will have.
"We believe there is a conflict of interests, as the EC has commissioned the analysis to those who have developed the fishing there. It seems that in Brussels they want results in favor of the continuation of the agreement," said Juan Manuel Vieites, Secretary of Anfaco, according to EFE agency.
The Spanish leader considers the three chosen experts cannot be "totally neutral and objective."
"It is not possible to be the judge and jury in such a sensitive issue like this," complained Vieites.
Related article:
- Papua expansion plans cause concern among Galician canneries
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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