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Lifting of fish export ban: EC miffed over early announcement
View(s):The European Commission (EC) has objected to Thursday’s early announcement by the Fisheries Ministry in Sri Lanka that the ban on Lankan fisheries product exports to Europe has been lifted by the European Union.
Taking up the matter through diplomatic channels in Brussels, the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) has sought clarification on how the announcement was made by the ministry in advance before the decision was formally announced.
The Fisheries Ministry in an official communiqué on Thursday said that the EU had informed the ministry that it had lift the ban with effect from April 21. The statement said a special media briefing would be held on the same date where Minister Mahinda Amaraweera would be explaining about the benefits of lifting the ban.
However soon after the media queries were made from the ministry whether the ban had been lifted another statement followed. It said the EU was due to take a decision regarding the lifting of the ban on April 21 and the Minister would be briefing the media about the decision.
A third media release by the ministry followed thereafter blaming the media for publishing ‘baseless reports’.The Sunday Times learns the Prime Minister’s office had taken up the matter with the Fisheries Ministry.
The European Commission spokesperson in apparent reaction to the Fisheries Ministry’s move to make the advance announcement refrained from making mention of the recommendation to lift the ban. Subsequently a press release was issued.
Fish exports to EU countries from Sri Lanka is set to begin by July with approval from the European Council — the Cabinet of the 28 member-state Ministers — now pending, officials said.
This week’s European Commission Decision on Sri Lanka recommending the lifting of the ban on fish exports is likely to be taken up within the next two to three months by the European Council.