Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The EU already imports more than 8,000 tonnes of lobster from the US, which has a tariff regime of somewhere between 8% and 15% at the moment. A zero-tariff regime on the importation of lobster from Canada will directly impact Irish fisherman in terms of the prices they can achieve for lobster. If the amount of lobster being imported into the EU increases significantly because the price is reduced, it will have an effect on the prices fishermen can achieve for their catches. I would love to see how the Minister can justify the assertion that it will not have any impact on prices when the logic is that it will increase supply from that market. Currently, Canada does not import lobster into the EU because of the tariffs. With the removal of the tariffs, a huge market will open up for Canada. In many cases, given that the purchase of food is price-driven, the market share that Canada will achieve will be driven by price. I would love to see what the Minister's justification is for it not having any impact.

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