§ 27. Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent industry proposals for the reform of fisheries regulations. [131290]
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§ Mr. MorleyThe Government have welcomed the document issued jointly by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and Scottish Fishermen's Federation, "Zonal management: a new vision for Europe's fisheries" as a helpful and constructive contribution to the debate on how to secure an improved regional dimension to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The document contains a number of useful ideas for ensuring increased involvement by fishermen and other stakeholders in fisheries management and a greater focus on issues at the regional level. It builds upon the recent experience gained with the regional consultations which underpinned the development of the Irish Sea cod recovery programme. The Government will take the industry's ideas fully into account in further developing its approach to the 2002 review of the CFP.