§ 2.52 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the four main recommendations made jointly by the Atlantic Salmon Trust and the Salmon and Trout Association to improve the country's salmon fisheries by countering the serious threats to the Atlantic salmon and what reply they have sent to their request for a fully representative meeting to discuss the urgent need to revise present legislation.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)My Lords, the Atlantic Salmon Trust and the Salmon and Trout Association have written to officials recommending changes in the law relating to the use of drift nets and monofilament nets, to the sale of salmon, and to rod 655 licences and catch returns. This approach was made at the same time as the Government issued a consultation paper, entitled the Review of Inland and Coastal Fisheries in England and Wales. The Government will be glad to receive the views of the Trust and the Association on the matters covered in the consultation paper, which include most of the matters which were raised by the two bodies. Further consultation will then take place as necessary.
Lord ChelwoodMy Lords, I am grateful for that reply. In spite of its friendly nature, is there not a risk that action to curb large-scale illegal netting by professional gangs, to which reference is made in paragraph 17 of the consultation paper—the magnitude of it is referred to there—may be held up for years, as indeed was Government action arising out of the Bledisloe and Hunter reports, while other discussions are going on about the other major matters raised in the consultation paper? Do the Government intend to legislate as soon as they possibly can—which would in fact mean the 1982–1983 Session; it would not be possible before then—to remove the ridiculous anomalies which have arisen where salmon legislation is concerned, before irreparable damage is done to the legitimate interests of professional commercial netsmen and to the interests of rodsmen as well?
Earl FerrersMy Lords, I accept my noble friend's consternation about poaching. I only hope that the consultations we have will not result in, as he put it, years of delay. The main thing is that we want to get it right, and that is the reason why we propose to have consultations. Secondly, where administrative action can be taken—and sometimes it can be—we wish to take it as soon as possible after those consultations have taken place. The third point is legislation. That is bound to be more lengthy and will have to fit into the legislative timetable.
§ Lord Balfour of InchryeMy Lords, is the Minister aware of the real urgency for comprehensive legislation for the preservation of Atlantic salmon, which are in great danger, not only from the points made by the Atlantic Trust but internationally and nationally? Atlantic salmon may well be extinct in a few years unless the Government take urgent steps in the not distant future.
Earl FerrersMy Lords, I entirely accept my noble friend's anxiety over this matter. What I would tell him is that the consultation paper was issued, I think, on 8th July. Consultations have been allowed up to 30th October, which is a fairly brief period of time, and thereafter advice will be given to Ministers as to how best and how most appropriately to act.