Irish salmon farmers given boost
The Minimum Import Price (MIP) was fixed following the results of an investigation into illegal dumping of below-cost salmon onto the EU market.
Irish Salmon Growers Association (ISGA) Executive Secretary, Richie Flynn, said: “we now have a relatively short time in which to restructure and rebuild our industry which has suffered hugely over the last three years.”
Mr Flynn said the ISGA very much welcomes Minister Pat Gallagher’s commitment to get on with the job of restructuring as a top priority.
Mr Flynn said the MIP received overwhelming support in the Anti-Dumping Committee, with a two to one majority in favour of the definitive measures.
Even those member states which rely heavily on salmon processing have accepted the injury caused to Irish and Scottish producers.
The reasonable case for a stable market on which to build employment in remote coastal areas was strongly backed by Mr Gallagher and his colleagues.
“We must not lose any time now in dealing with domestic affairs, beginning with licensing and regulation and giving salmon farmers the tools they need to deal with the huge challenges posed by both the physical and marketing environments,” he said.
