§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what commitment has been made by the EU Council to confirm the full integration, by 1 January 1996 at the latest, of Spain and Portugal into the common fisheries policy.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 3 May 1994]: The Council adopted a declaration in the context of the Norwegian enlargement negotiations which provides for the full integration of the fisheries arrangements in the act of accession of Spain and Portugal into the general rules of the common fisheries policy. To that end, the Council is required to adopt regulations before 1 January 1995, which will enter into force by 1 January 1996 at the latest.
As I reported in my reply of 13 April to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison), Official Report, column 183–84, the Fisheries Council on 12 April adopted a regulation which provides further that no changes can be made to the current rules governing Spanish and Portuguese fishing until the replacement arrangements have been set out and agreed by the Council.
638Wsatisfactory health certification. In addition, the Spanish authorities have given us prior notification that consignments were being despatched, as required under the provisions of directive 90/425/EEC.