Fish dumping quantities and alternative use
The Minister said a table of quantities and value would be circulated, and described EC efforts to distribute surplus food; fish perishability and transport complicate alternative uses.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will make a statement on the quantities and value of fish dumped in Ireland and the EC in 1984.
Comment on this
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Comment on this
In view of the wholesale dumping of fish and the scarcity of food in other parts of the world, will the Minister tell the House if any serious attempt has been made by the EC to find some better use for this valuable food rather than continuing with this dumping?
Comment on this
I am sure the Deputy is aware of efforts that were made during our Presidency of the EC in relation to the distribution of surplus food to Third World countries, and in particular north-east African countries such as Ethiopia and the Sudan. There is a problem here in relation to fish in particular. Because of the perishable nature of the commodity it is very difficult to provide for transportation and the technical problems that arise in relation to freezing and so on. With the best will in the world it would be difficult unless one went into long term planning to provide for the disposal of the fish through these avenues to this destination. We are aware of the problem. I accept that it does not sound morally right to dump fish when people in the world are starving but there are serious problems in getting it to the people who need it.
14.