§ Sir David Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he has rejected the banning of monofilament drift nets as a method of conserving salmon.
§ Mr. MacGregorI am not aware of any scientific evidence that would justify the banning of monofilament drift nets because of their effect on salmon stocks. Monofilament drift nets are also used for catching white fish. I consider therefore that the measures announced on 7 November represent the best approach to tightening control over the level of drift net fishing for salmon off the north east coast of England.