John Kerry: “I would like to report on the recent events in France where French fishermen strikes demanding higher prices for their…”

“I would like to report on the recent events in France where French fishermen strikes demanding higher prices for their products turned into angry riots. The Government of France, in an attempt to prevent its rebellious fishermen from taking further violent actions initiated a ban of United States Seafood Products on February 5, 1994, followed 4 days later by the lifting of the ban and the imposition of an arduous and unjustified 100-percent United States seafood inspection program. Accompanying these actions was the closure of the primary point of entry of fresh seafood products, Charles de Gaulle Airport, to U.S. products. These actions were in direct contravention of French and European international trade obligations. The immediate effect of France's actions was striking. Approximately 25 to 30 tons of fresh fish, valued at $250,000, was stranded without refrigeration at the customs office at Charles de Gaulle Airport where began to rot and had to be destroyed. The long-term effects of these policies were just as significant since the United States fishing industry, especially the portion that deals in fresh products, expects to lose $200,000 per month as the actions of the French continue. I applaud the swift and firm actions of U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Kantor, the State Department, the Department of Commerce, and the rest of the Federal agencies that are working to resolve this urgent problem.”