§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will apply to the structural fund for a subsidy for British fishermen for loss of fishing opportunities owing to inadequate quotas. [40601]
§ Mr. BaldryStructural fund assistance may be used only to finance measures to offset the loss of income suffered as a result of a temporary cessation of fishing activities caused by unforeseen and non-repetitive events. Under the principle of relative stability, the UK has a guaranteed percentage share of the annual total allowable catches agreed in EU and north Atlantic waters. But the actual level of TACs reflects the pressure of fishing effort on available stocks. The UK is providing a total of £53 million for decommissioning to help reduce this pressure.
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