§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fisheries regulations have been introduced since May 1997; and at what cost to the industry. [126929]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 22 June 2000]: More than 190 Council and Commission regulations have been adopted under the Common Fisheries Policy since May 1997. Many of the regulations have been time limited and routine such as those related to the setting of annual TACs and quotas and EU agreements with third countries or have concerned supplementary measures or amendments to basic regulations dealing with matters such as technical conservation, marketing and control.
Additionally more than 30 Statutory Instruments have been introduced primarily concerned with the enforcement of regulations or the closure of UK fisheries once quota allocations have been taken. This is normal practice where fisheries measures are likely to have a material impact on industry costs a regulatory impact assessment is prepared by the Ministry and placed in the Library of the House.