HL Deb 06 December 1984 vol 457 cc1548-50WA
Baroness Elliot of Harwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make a statement on the outcome of the Council of Fisheries Ministers' meeting on 4th December 1984.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)

My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, my right honourable and noble friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, and my honourable friend the Minister of State in my department, represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers on 4th December.

The Council agreed guide prices for fishery products for 1985 on the basis of a compromise proposal by the Presidency, which was generally satisfactory from the United Kingdom point of view.

It was agreed that the prohibition on fishing for mackerel to the West of Scotland north of 58°N from 1st to 31st December 1984 should be lifted, in accordance with the latest scientific advice. This decision was a very important one for our pelagic fleet, as most of the mackerel catches off the west coast are still being taken north of 58°. This means that this fishery will be able to continue, within the United Kingdom quota of 234,700 tonnes, for the rest of the year. There was also general agreement to postpone the deadline for a decision on an increase in the minimum mesh size in the English Channel until 1st July 1987, but we reserved our position pending completion of parliamentary scrutiny procedures.

The Council approved the arrangements for 1985 negotiated with Sweden under the EC/Sweden framework agreement. There were also informal discussions on the continuing negotiations between the Community and Norway on the arrangements for 1985 under the EC/Norway agreement. We urged the Commission to stand firm on the question of Norway's allocation of North Sea herring next year, and this was agreed. In a discussion of the continuing negotiations between the Community and the Faroe Islands, we emphasised the importance that we attached to a reduction in the Faroese intercepting fishery on Atlantic salmon.

The Council discussed the problem raised by over fishing by some member states of the Community's allocation of saithe in the North Sea. An increase in the Community availability was adopted on a basis agreed with Norway which will allow three members states to continue or to resume fishing. The United Kingdom received an additional quota of about 400 tonnes. I asked the Commission to report to the Council in due course on the results of the year's activities of their Inspectorate of Inspectorates in supervising the enforcement of Community rules by the member states. They undertook to do so. We also asked the Commission to prepare a report to the Council on the general question of over-fishing of quotas and any appropriate arrangements for compensation by the member states responsible. This was generally welcomed and could be very important in encouraging greater discipline in future.

There was a discussion of the supply and demand situation within the Community for herring on the basis of a report by the Commission, and it was agreed in principle to open a small additional tariff-free quota for the period 1st January to 15th February 1985 for the purposes of manufacturers of specialised products.