§ Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much herring was sold for fishmeal in each month since the herring fishing opened in the current year; and what percentage this forms of the total catch.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe monthly quantities of the United Kingdom herring catch landed in the United Kingdom known to have been sold for fishmeal since the herring fisheries opened are:
Month Sold for fishmeal (Tonnes) June nil July 644 August *5,738 September 114 October 689 November 1,953 December (part month) 880 * Following the substantial withdrawals of herring for fishmeal processing early in August the West of Scotland fishery was closed for two weeks and subsequently reopened. The quantity sold for fishmeal forms 26 per cent. of total United Kingdom catch in 1981 to mid-December.