Herrings and sprats are the cause of upset between Poland and the EU
Poland is currently at odds with the European Union (EU) over the length of
herrings. According to EU regulations, only herrings of a minimum length of
20 centimeters may be caught, while Poland points out that herrings caught
in the Baltic Sea are on average 16 centimeters long. To support its
argument, Poland is citing an agreement reached with the EU by Finland,
which won a similar battle with Brussels. Also in dispute are sprats, with
Poland proposing that those less than 8 centimeters long should be
protected, while the EU is demanding a much greater length. Ryszard Klimczak
from the National Chamber of Fishing (KIR) admitted that Poland might accept
a longer sprat. However, he said, "The whole affair is unnecessary." (Puls
Biznesu, p. 12) N.V.D.
