HL Deb 24 June 1991 vol 530 cc420-2

2.58 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether decisions have yet been reached, and agreed within the EC, on a conservation regime for United Kingdom fishing vessels to replace the present confinement to harbour for eight days in the month.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Strathclyde)

My Lords, no decision has been made by the Commission to replace the eight-day rule. However, the Commission agreed in February that United Kingdom vessels using 110 mm nets could be exempted from the eight-day rule, and approximately 200 vessels are taking advantage of that exemption.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his Answer. While conservation of fish stocks is essential, and must be the first consideration, I should like to ask whether he is aware that the present scheme of tying up boats for eight days is regarded by many British fishermen as the worst option among those available?

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, I entirely welcome the words of my noble friend that conservation is the most important aim. I also recognise that the eight-day tie-up regulation is of great anxiety to individual fishermen. At the end of last year we were faced with a situation where stocks of cod and haddock in the North Sea were found to be in a dire state. Therefore, the eight-day rule had to be introduced. We have always agreed that it is a blunt instrument; but it was the only course that could be introduced quickly to preserve the stocks.

Lady Saltoun of Abernethy

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Government are hated and reviled in the fishing ports of Scotland for the way in which the eight-day tie-up scheme has been managed, and for their stubborn refusal to introduce a de-commissioning scheme? In view of the recent increase in the EC contribution to scrapping grants, how can the Government justify their refusal?

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, at the end of last year we were offered a 10-day tie-up regulation by the Commission. It was because of the negotiations which we were able to continue in the Council of Ministers that we were able to reduce it to eight days. The Government have always maintained that decommissioning would be a poor use of taxpayers' money. However, given the great worry that fishing communities have, we have offered fishermen and their representatives the opportunity to come forward with schemes that would help conservation of fish stocks. If that included a de-commissioning scheme which was significantly financed by fishermen themselves, then we would look at it carefully.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, since more than one member state outside the United Kingdom habitually ignore EC regulations whenever it suits them, and bearing in mind the necessity for conservation, I should like to ask this question. What steps have Her Majesty's Government initiated to monitor the performance of other countries in obeying the regulations that they vehemently supported?

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, the noble Lord is right that vie view conservation and its enforcement as having a great deal of importance. It is up to the Commission itself to make sure that European laws are adhered to. A survey was recently carried out of the enforcement operations of different national states and the United Kingdom came top of the list.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, can my noble friend say what consequences will result from the conservation measure both to the fish stocks and to the catches? What will be the financial consequences to British fishermen?

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, it is difficult to give a straight answer to my noble friend. On the financial consequences, he will know that over the past 12 months prices of white fish landings have increased by 15 per cent. That has a substantial effect. As to what has happened to the fish stocks, the eight-day tie-up scheme was designed to reduce the amount of discards, as will the measure the Government will bring forward on 1st July, to include 90 mm sq mesh nets in the cod end of fishing nets. We shall not know for some years how effective these measures have been.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

My Lords, does the decimation of the British fishing fleet constitute one of the so-called benefits that we have received from membership of the EC?

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, it is generally recognised that the common fisheries policy and its concept of relative stability has helped to maintain the British fishing fleet.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, will the noble Lord re-examine the answer given to me in which he pointed out that the Commission was responsible for the enforcement of the regulations? Normally, under Community law, it is the responsibility of the member state to enforce the regulations as agent for the Commission. Will the noble Lord again take on board the necessity for more effective monitoring of the performance of those states which habitually ignore regulations when they do not suit them?

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, I do not believe that the noble Lord and I are in any disagreement. He is right that it is the obligation of the member state. However, it is also for the Commission to make sure that member states carry out their functions the way they agreed to in the Council of Ministers.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I welcome what my noble friend has just said: that the Government are prepared to consider an orderly reduction in fishing fleets. However, does he agree that the fishing industry suffers from a special problem? Unlike other industries, the increasing productivity which fishermen have achieved to a great extent in recent years risks annihilating the product.

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, I recognise that. It is something which the fishermen themselves have taken on board.

Lord Swinfen

My Lords, can the noble Lord name the countries which are not obeying the regulations on fishing?

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, that is up to the Commission.

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