Moves could help eel industry
07 November 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
“Having long campaigned for further EU measures to restrict the export trade in glass eels (i.e. young eels), I am pleased to have been informed by Commissioner Borg that the Commission is currently examining he feasibility of introducing additional trade measures.
The importance of restricting glass eel exports is that the scale and vast extent of exports to the Far East has been such that it has seriously damaged the natural cycle of replenishment of our wild eel stocks. Our industry in Lough Neagh has seen a substantial downturn in eel stocks because the glass eels, which ultimately would have returned to the Lough and matured there, have been hived off for export, mainly off the French coast as they return, having been spawned in the Sargasso Sea.
Thus further measures to restrict this damaging trade in glass eels are welcome and something I have long been calling for.”
