§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can confirm that EEC regulations require fishermen to dump fish at sea, rather than give them to local hospitals or charitable institutions, if they are to be eligible for compensation from EEC funds, and whether they are satisfied that this waste should be encouraged.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)There is no European Community regulation which requires fish to be dumped at sea in order to qualify for compensation under the arrangements for supporting minimum prices for fishermen. Fish which is withdrawn from the human consumption market under these arrangements is usually reduced to fishmeal but it may also be given away to local hospitals or other charitable institutions. Disposal of the fish by dumping at sea is authorised only as a last resort and provided that it can be shown that there is no practicable alternative.