HC Deb 20 May 1996 vol 278 cc3-4W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who will represent the United Kingdom at the meeting of EU Ministers scheduled for 10 June to discuss agriculture and fisheries; and what is the agenda of the meeting. [29887]

Mr. Baldry

[holding answer 17 May 1996]: I plan to represent the United Kingdom at the meeting of EU Fisheries Ministers on 10 June, along with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.

The draft agenda of the Council currently includes multi-annual guidance programmes 1997–99, technical conservation measures, fisheries research, redfish quotas in the north-east and north-west Atlantic, the sprat fishery in the Skagerrak and Kattegat, preparations for a conference on Mediterranean fisheries and a communication from the Commission on small-scale coastal fishing. Other items are likely to be added.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on industrial fishing in the North sea; and what proposals his officials plan to present at the meeting in Bergen on 13 and 14 June on steps to address industrial fishing in sensitive areas. [29888]

Mr. Baldry

[holding answer 17 May 1996]: I have recently received representations from Greenpeace on industrial fishing in the North Sea.

The officials attending the Committee of North Sea Senior Officials in Bergen in June will report on the United Kingdom's initiatives on sandeels and my call for a greater collaborative research effort to increase understanding of the impact of industrial fishing on other species.