§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he is now giving to the proposal that financial help be given to businesses prepared to develop and initiate fish farms.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe departmental fisheries laboratories and the White Fish Authority continue to devote considerable resources to the development of techniques of fish cultivation. However, a number of problems remain to be overcome, and there is no immediate prospect that significant quantities of marine fish will become available on a commercial basis as a result of fish farming. I welcome the efforts of business enterprises to establish and develop fish farms but my right hon. Friend does not propose in existing circumstances to make general assistance available to industry from Government funds.
A recent EEC directive requires the introduction of a scheme of assistance for farm modernisation, including the farming of freshwater fish for food. My Department is discussing proposals for 202W implementing this directive with the Commission, and I hope to make an announcement shortly.