John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will clarify the position in view of the EU position on minimum import price against the Norwegian salmon industry, which is designed to remain in place for five years, and in further view of the fact that Brussels was clear to note that that intervening period should be used by the Government to restructure the industry, and make it more competitive and ready for open market trading; the action being taken regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26588/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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On 21 January 2006, the Council of the European Union adopted a Regulation imposing anti-dumping measures in the form of a Minimum Import Price of EUR 2.80 per kilogram for imports of farmed salmon (whole fish, fresh, chilled or frozen) from Norway to the EU. The Norwegian government decided on 21st February 2006 to file a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in respect of the European Union's Anti-Dumping measures. The case is under consideration by the Disputes Settlement Body of the WTO. The Department will continue to work closely with the industry representatives, the EU Commission and the UK authorities to ensure that there is a robust case made in defence of the current Anti Dumping measures.

In relation to the restructuring of the Irish farmed salmon sector, under the National Development Plan, grant aid is available to support investment in aquaculture aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the Irish salmon farming sector.

In addition, a new grant aid initiative was announced late last year to improve the competitiveness and environmental impact of marine based salmon farms, in the context of restructuring the sector. The rate of grant aid applicable to qualifying projects is to 65% of eligible expenditure with a total grant aid budget available of €1 million. The impact of this measure is intended to allow the Irish salmon farming industry to achieve a more competitive unit cost of production. The Measure is being implemented during the course of 2006 and is designed to be part of a co-ordinated response to restructure the sector during the period of the Minimum Import Trade Protection Measure put in place by the Commission of the EU.

I am pleased to announce that last Wednesday, the 28th June 2006, the NDP Aquaculture Measure Selection Committees approved grant aid, under the Technical and Environmental Support Programme (TESP), on 7 projects with a total investment value of €3.5m. It is expected that these projects will be completed by the end of 2006 and that the effect of these investments will be to substantially improve the competitiveness and the environmental impact of the Irish salmon farming sector.

BIM is also stepping up its marketing effort by pursuing a strategy of differentiating Irish farmed salmon in the home and international market, through the use of the world class product quality assurance scheme already in place, together with increased niche marketing of the unique Irish organic salmon.