§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to protect Scottish salmon growers from the impact of the dumping of Norwegian salmon on European markets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Government fully recognise the seriousness of the threat to salmon farming in Scotland posed by large-scale imports of Norwegian salmon to European markets. This is not a matter where the United Kingdom Government can act unilaterally; we have to work through the European Community. We have therefore pressed the EC Commission to consider the matter urgently and to meet the undertakings which it gave earlier this year, when it announced the closure of the anti-dumping case brought by Scottish and Irish salmon producers. These undertakings provided for further consultation with the Norwegians and, if necessary, consideration of a renewed anti-dumping investigation.
We are now working closely with representatives of the Scottish industry, and with the Commission, to consider what steps need to be taken to restore stability to the market for farmed salmon.