§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the EEC Commission's proposals for fishing net mesh size increases to 90mm.
§ Mr. GummerThe Council regulation on technical conservation measures—Regulation (EEC) No 171/83 as amended—provides for the minimum mesh size in the North sea to be increased from 80 to 90mm with effect from 1 January 1987. The Commission has put forward proposals for the consolidation and revision of Regulation No 171/83 which are currently being discussed within the Community at official level. The proposals include the extension of the 90mm mesh size to the waters to the west of Scotland and the amendment of the special provisions in respect of fishing for sole in the North sea. My right hon. Friends and I are consulting the United Kingdom fishing industry on these proposals and will take its views, along with the objective of conservation of fish stocks, into account in the further Community discussions.