Wicked Local Marshfield: Congressional Delegation Objects to American Lobster Imports Ban
The Massachusetts Congressional delegation is hoping to preserve a $125 million state export market. Sweden has sought to ban the importation of lobsters, arguing they pose a risk of invading European waters and multiplying.
“The assessments show that the American lobster is a threat to the European lobster,” wrote Andreas von Uexkull, minister counselor at the Swedish embassy in Washington D.C. “Trade policy aspects of the proposal have been analyzed and Sweden is aware of the importance the lobster industry means for jobs and small communities in parts of the U.S. However, possible future import restrictions would only apply for live lobsters. If the risk assessment is accepted within the EU there will still be great opportunities to export cooked, boiled or frozen lobster.”
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, and Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts, signed a letter claiming the transatlantic lobster trade exceeded $200 million last year, with $125 million of that coming from Massachusetts, benefitting the 1,169 permitted commercial lobstermen.
“Science and economics don’t support the proposal to ban the importation of live American lobsters into the EU. The proposed ban would undermine a centuries-old relationship and have enormously negative impacts on the Massachusetts lobster industry,” Markey said in a statement. “I urge the EU to consider solutions beyond this extreme blanket ban of American lobster imports and work towards a solution so that Europeans can continue to enjoy this most delectable of American exports for years to come.”
The delegation wrote to Daniel Calleja Crespo, directorate-general for environment of the European Commission. “It is our hope that the EU’s Scientific Committee will uphold a commitment to making a data-based decision as they consider the potential listing of American lobster as an invasive species,” the letter says.
The European government could reportedly approve a ban as early as next spring. The letter from Massachusetts lawmakers also raises skepticism that coastal European waters are cool enough for lobsters to breed.
Von Uexkull said Swedish government officials updated their risk assessment on live American lobster in July, taking into account comments from Canadian and U.S. stakeholders. If the proposal to ban live American lobster is accepted in the EU process it will proceed to World Trade Organization for further review.
“The expected timetable is not fixed since the responsible committee in the EU might take some time, which affects the possible date for entry into force,” von Uexkull wrote.
Article here.