PERU fishing with guts to report…
The companies claim that this difference threatens the sustainability of the activity in Spain and require the removal of tariff privileges to third countries.
The Spanish canning spend 15 times more on average in labor that Asian countries. This large difference endangers the socioeconomic sustainability of the Spanish sector, as denounced by the National Association of Canned Fish (Anfaco-Cecopesca). “This inequality is a very significant difference in competitiveness”Explains the President of the Association, Juan Vieites.
Labour costs in the industry are 2,000 euros a month in Spain, eight times more than the Asian country that pays: Thailand (250 euros).
Inequalities are also charged with other third countries such as Mauritius and Seychelles, where labor and labor costs in the processing sector are 75% lower than in Spain (EUR 500, as in Brazil) while in Ecuador and Guatemala the difference increased to 80% (400 euros).
The Spanish canning criticize trade policy with third countries conducted by the European Union (EU) and demand trade agreements “balanced” to fight against inequality in the markets. “We always we affect the maintenance, monitoring and enforcement of Community rules across the board. We detected that most of the products do not meet EU standards (Illegal, labeling, origin, etc.), so we demand an observatory product traceability”Explains Vieites. “Our surprise came when we spoke to a senior official of the European Commission said they had also encountered this problem. If known, why does not it work?”He asks.
The Spanish sector calls on the EU to consider the conditions under which the Community fleet operates in granting tariff benefits to third countries, some preferential agreements that facilitate market entry of foreign products. “In the Philippines, for example, that violates all human rights standards and that his own industry has recognized that not change the way you work, do not understand why you keep getting the preference system”Criticizes the representative also Eurothon, European organization representing tuna industry.
Spain is at the head of EU tuna catches, with 68% and a volume of 239,000 tons, according to data handled by Anfaco. Italy is followed, at a great distance, with 20% to 69,000 tonnes, while France ranks third with 6% to 20,000 tonnes. The production of canned seafood in Spain is approximately 330,000 tonnes, of which 70% are tuna fishery.
SOURCE: www.laopinioncoruna.es
