HC Deb 07 March 2002 vol 381 c483W
29. Vera Baird

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she is making in negotiating a derogation for the UK inshore fishing fleet, from this year's increase in fixed-net mesh sizes. [38022]

Mr. Morley

Norway and the EU agreed last year to increase mesh sizes in fixed fishing gear from 1 January 2002. We have drawn the Commission's attention to the fact that Norway seems to have exempted its inshore fleet from this requirement. The Commission have raised this with the Norwegian authorities and are awaiting their response.

36. Shona McIsaac

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on recent changes to total allowable catches. [38029]

Mr. Morley

The Commission originally proposed large cuts for a wide range of total allowable catches, in many cases going further than science would justify. At the December Fisheries Council, after lengthy negotiations, we achieved an outcome which closely followed the scientific advice. This did not avoid severe measures where they were justified but met the UK's criticisms of what the Commission had proposed.

17. Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of low impact fishing methods. [38010]

Mr. Morley

The review of the Common Fisheries Policy provides an opportunity to recognise the role of fishermen using selective and environmentally friendly fishing techniques. We raised this issue in our public response to the European Commission's Green Paper on the future of the CFP. We will look to support ways of encouraging low impact fishing in negotiations on the future of the CFP this year.