§ Mr. HarrisTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Fisheries Council in Brussels on 23 February.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI attended the Council of Fisheries Ministers in Brussels on 23 February 1989.
The Council agreed reduced tariff import quotas for 1989. These come into operation on 1 April. The total quantities are below last year's levels and some tariffs are at a rather higher level, reflecting changes in supplies and prices. I am satisfied that the final agreement maintains a good balance between the interests of consumers, processors and catchers.
The Council had a useful first discussion of a proposal to provide Community financing to improve member states' control and enforcement arrangements.
850WThe Council agreed to accept an offer to fish an extra 4,000 tonnes of cod from Greenland, but on the understanding that this was in accordance with and not outside the EC-Greenland agreement so as not to prejudice EC claims for fishing rights at Greenland.
The Council also agreed the approach to a possible EC-USSR framework agreement. The Commission will be undertaking discussions with the USSR and any exchange of fishing rights is likely to be confined initially to the Baltic sea.