§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in respect of Denmark's policy towards imports of Russian fish from unregistered freezer trawlers; and what is his Department's policy towards such imports. [39319]
§ Mr. RookerI have received a small number of representations alleging that Denmark has allowed imports of Russian fish from unregistered freezer trawlers in contravention of a European Commission Decision. In view of this substantiated allegation, uncertainty over the operation of the Decision by other Member States, and following discussions with the European Commission, we have recently decided to allow imports of Russian fish from unregistered freezer trawlers. This has been done as an interim measure, with enhanced checks at UK ports, until the European Commission can propose a satisfactory solution.