§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of Fisheries Ministers in Brussels on 26 and 27 January, in particular regarding the final agreement on a new common fisheries policy;
(2) what further progress was made in the negotiation of the common fisheries policy at the meeting held in Brussels on 27 January; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerAfter a brief general discussion it was arranged that the Fisheries Council would reconvene shortly, probably on 9–10 February.
In these circumstances, the validity of the Community conservation regulation was extended until 28 February. Member States also agreed, in the absence of formal Council decisions, to control their fishing operations as in previous years so as to avoid unregulated fishing.
It was also agreed that the arrangement with Norway for reciprocal fishing in 1981 should be implemented as soon as possible. This should be of considerable benefit to many sections of the United Kingdom fishing industry.