§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government and other European Governments to ensure that no fish below the minimum size allowed to be caught are fished in European waters.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 3 July 1986]: In its report of 16 June 1986 to the Council of the European Communities, the Commission has underlined the need for effective enforcement of the total allowable catch/quota system and the technical conservation measures if the common fisheries policy is to work fairly. The Government fully endorses that approach.
The report, which was laid before the House on 2 July (document 7717/86), has identified various shortcomings in the way some member states enforce control on undersized fish. The Commission intends, where the circumstances require, to undertake infringement proceedings against member states in the European Court.
The United Kingdom is regarded as having effectively discharged its enforcement obligations, although we are criticised for taking little action on the landing of 684W undersized nephrops tails in Northern Ireland. We will be discussing this criticism with the Commission to determine what further measures, if any, are necessary.