The European Commission (EC) and the EU countries debated last week on the possibility of increasing the import quotas of processed tuna from Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia to help to the countries damaged by the tsunami, reported communitarian sources.
Brussels considers proposing an increase of quotas for canned tuna, which would mainly benefit the Asian countries interested in selling these products to the EU. The sources informed that “this is a potential measure†and before making it official “it is necessary to verify if it would really help those affected by the tsunamiâ€.
The EC and the member States discussed this issue on Friday, during a meeting of the 133 Committee, formed by the Trade representatives of the communitarian countries. Sources added “there were positive feedbacksâ€. The idea to offer “interesting†quotas for tuna exports from Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia is being studied within the Commission’s main directorates of Fishery and Trade.