Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 5 • Number 42 • 12th December 2001
European Comission Calls For ‘Dramatic Quota Cuts’ On Fishing
Following an alarming depletion of fishery stocks in EU waters, the European Commission on 4 December issued a proposal which would reduce the volume of fish caught by 14 percent next year. "If we want to avoid the complete extinction of some fish stocks, which would spell the end for our fishermen, decisive action is the only way forward", said EU Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler. The proposal, based on independent scientific assessments, has stirred anger among fishermen leaders, who will seek to water down quota cuts as EU Ministers meet in Brussels on 17 December.
"Brussels warns of need for dramatic fish quotas cut," FINANCIAL TIMES, 5 December 2001.
EU Set To Increase Recycling
The European Commission last week issued new proposals on the recycling of packaging materials, which would force EU members to recycle 55 - 70 percent of all such materials by 2006, in comparison to the current minimum of between 25 and 45 percent. The rules, now up for approval by EU member states and the European Parliament, would also increase targets for recycling specific materials from the current 15 percent to 60 percent for glass, 55 percent for paper and board, 50 for metals and 20 percent for plastics. For consumers, the proposals are likely to increase costs, but the Commission believes its approach will prove cheaper in the long run than other forms of waste management.
"EU recycling plan will impose tougher targets," FINANCIAL TIMES, 9 December 2001: "EU set to double packaging recycling targets," PLANET ARK, 10 December 2001.
UNCTAD & UNEP Launch Workshops On Trade, Environment And Development
Reacting to the key role of environmental issues at the November WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) are launching a series of workshops this month on trade, environment and development. These workshops for government delegates, which will take place in Hanoi and Havana, are the first to be delivered within the framework of the UNCTAD-UNEP Capacity-building Task Force for Trade, Environment and Development (CBTF). The aims of the workshops are, among others, to identify trade and environment issues of particular national of regional concern and enhance the effective participation of developing countries in relevant international negotiations. The Havana workshop, hosted jointly by the Ministries of Environment and Trade of Cuba, will take place on 10-14 December, while the Hanoi event, hosted by the Vietnamese export promotion agency, is scheduled for 17-19 December.
"UNCTAD, UNEP launch trade, environment and development training workshops," UNCTAD PRESS RELEASE, 10 December 2001. US-Vietnam Trade Agreement Goes Into Effect
As of 10 December, the bilateral trade agreement between the US and Vietnam signed in July last year (see BRIDGES Weekly, 23 October 2001) became legally effective with USTR Robert Zoellick and Vietnam’s Trade Minister Vu Khoan, in Washington this Monday, exchanging documents implementing the deal. Through the trade pact, Vietnam was granted normal trade relations status with the US. According to the World Bank, the agreement will increase Vietnam’s exports by US$ 1 billion within four years.
"Historic US-Vietnam Trade Pact Takes Effect," REUTERS, 11 December 2001.