(fis.com) The National Association of Canned Fish and Shellfish (ANFACO-CECOPESCA) states that the canning industry in the European Union (EU) needs to import 60,000 tonnes of tuna, not the 30,000 tonnes required by the sector.
ANFACO managers argue that these 30,000 tonnes represent "only half" of the raw material the industry requires to continue operating properly.
This was said by Juan Manuel Vieites, secretary general of ANFACO after meeting with Secretary General of Fisheries, Carlos Dominguez.
This week, the industry claimed the purchase of 30,000 tonnes of fee free tuna for the period between 2013 and 2015, a demand that does not satisfy ship-owners. Currently 15,000 tonnes are imported with a tax of 6 per cent.
Vieites argues that the fishing fleet will "maintain its monopoly" over the processing industry, while the canneries "have sought a consensus position" in demanding the entry of only 30,000 of the 60,000 tonnes needed, EFE agency informed.
"These are real needs that we have extensively discussed and we believe we have taken a very balanced position to avoid distortions and problems to a fleet that also sells to our competitors", Vieites explained.
During the meeting, the ANFACO secretary general spoke to Dominguez about the evolution of the sector in 2011 and its outlook for 2012, and on the liberalization of markets in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (PPC).
Both officials also discussed the status of the agreements signed between the EU and third countries such as Papua New Guinea, which was "very damaging" to the Spanish sector.
Vieites said that Dominguez "perfectly understood" ANFACO arguments, emphasizing that they are based on actual figures and the position of the entity to maintain "the 12,000 direct jobs generated by this sector in Galicia", La Opinion reported.
"While we understand that each of us defends his own business and we are very happy of the good results achieved by the fleet, which only generates 300 direct jobs in Spain, it seems inappropriate that it may seeks to supply us with raw materials exclusively, when they can sell and in fact sell their catches where they want, even to our competitors and when their tuna loins discharges in Galicia are down ", perhaps for that reason, he added.