HC Deb 19 December 1980 vol 996 cc394-5W
Mr. Speller

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to protect British interests in the light of the apparent gross breach of EEC regulations in relation to herring fishing in the Channel.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on any actions of his to take the French authorities to the European Court over illegal herring fishing.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The enforcement of fisheries rules is primarily a matter for the relevant national authorities and the EEC Commission. I understand that the Commission is approaching the French authorities to establish whether there is a case to bring before the European Court.

As I replied on 10 December to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. McQuarrie), I am firmly of the view that the Community must give high priority to ensuring proper standards of enforcement of fisheries rules by all member States.