WRITTEN QUESTION E-1884/99 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Policy on Baltic salmon.
20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/115 (2000/C 170 E/135) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1884/99 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (29 October 1999) Subject: Policy on Baltic salmon Research shows that the production of young salmon in the Tornio/Torneälv river between Finland and Sweden has collapsed. The salmon live in the Baltic Sea, and from there they head up the river to spawn. Since the Commission is now promoting what is in many respects a more liberal policy towards salmon fisheries in the Baltic, this will make it harder for the EU to achieve its target of regenerating salmon stocks by 2010. Is the Commission aware of the problem in the Tornio river, and will it have any effect on the EUís Baltic salmon fisheries policy? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (23 November 1999) In February 1997 the International Baltic Sea fisheries commission (IBSFC) adopted a salmon action plan (SAP). The objectives in this action plan are to achieve a natural production of at least 50 % of the potential capacity of all wild salmon rivers, to undertake habitat improvement and to re-establish salmon in potential salmon rivers. The plan has been complemented with national measures such as closed areas and time restrictions of fishing. The International council for the exploration of sea (ICES) has confirmed that the management actions taken have resulted in a considerable increase in the numbers of wild salmon returning to home rivers. The higher numbers of wild salmon spawning in the rivers have resulted in increased production of wild smolt (juvenile salmon). The same improvement has not been observed in all salmon rivers. However in the case of the Torneå river the increase has been very large and ICES reports that salmon occur in parts of the river for the first time since the Second World War. According to ICES and to national sources the production in river Torneå has not collapsed; on the contrary, in 1998 the production was among the highest observed since the early 1970ís. Although a reduction in production was observed in 1999, production is still very good and almost 5 times higher than that observed in the period 1976-1987. Furthermore a reduction in the 1999 production was expected as the returning salmon were from less numerous year classes, affected by the M 74 syndrome, and hence fewer salmon would have participated in the spawning. The ICES forecast for the Torneå river indicates that the objective set out in the SAP might be achieved in the near future. Against this background, the Commission does not share the view expressed by the Honourable Member that the production of salmon in the Torneå river has collapsed. The encouraging signs of increased production of wild salmon in the several rivers in the Baltic confirm that the actions instituted by IBSFC and supplemented by national measures are effective. However there are rivers that do not show the same improvement and the Commission is convinced of the need to continue with a responsible management strategy in order to achieve its objectives. (2000/C 170 E/136) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1887/99 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (29 October 1999) Subject: Animal welfare implications of the growth hormone rBST Will the Commission insist that the relevant committees study all evidence concerning the specific impact on animal health of the growth hormone rBST in the context of any application by the company which owns this drug for a licence to sell for use within the EU?