§ The Earl of Kimberleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
In view of the fact that hoteliers and netsmen provide two of the most important channels for the receipt, distribution and sale of illegally caught salmon from local and distant waters, why they propose licensing hoteliers and netsmen as salmon dealers; and
Whether the envisaged salmon dealer licensing scheme will depend upon the positive identification of stolen fish; and whether they are aware of any means of identifying stolen fish apart from tagging of legally caught salmon.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)The purpose in licensing salmon dealers will be to provide improved means of enforcement against trade in unlawfully taken salmon, mainly by requiring dealers to keep records and providing for enforcement officers to have access to their premises and records. The Government have already explained why they do not regard salmon tagging as a practicable solution to the problems of salmon sales and control
As my noble friend the Minister of State at the Scottish Office said in reply to my noble friend on 11th April, the consultation papers on salmon dealer licensing envisage that netsmen and hoteliers would need to be licensed in order to participate in certain categories of trade. No decisions have yet been taken on the details of the licensing schemes, which are being considered in the light of comments received on the consultation papers.