§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to seek a Europe-wide agreement on the use of monofilament nets; and if he will make a statement. [18287]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonThe Government have no plans to seek such an agreement, but I have written to the European Commission to notify it of our proposal to allow a derogation for the carriage of large-mesh monofilament nets in Scottish waters.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he will be taking to ensure that lifting the ban on the use of large mesh monofilament nets by Scottish boats will not conflict with Government commitments to the conservation of marine wildlife under the agreement on conservation of small cetaceans in the Baltic and North seas, the European Union wild birds directive (79/409/EEC) and the European Union habitats directive (92/43/EEC); and if he will make a statement. [18286]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonArrangements for monitoring by-catches of marine mammals are already in place and will be extended to any large mesh monofilament nets that are used. These nets are unlikely to pose a threat to marine bird species as we expect the nets to be bottom set in deep water.