§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to place in the Library a copy of the final version of the draft European Community Commission proposal on health conditions affecting the production and the placing in the296W market of fishery products; what consultations he has planned with the fish processing industry relating to the introduction of the changes proposed in the Commission's document; when the proposal is expected to become law; and what financial assistance will be available to the processors to comply with any new requirements.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe timing of this proposal to Council is uncertain, but I understand that the European Commission expects it to be issued during Sepember; thereafter it will be deposited in the House within the usual time scale. We have consulted widely on the early working drafts, and there will be full consultation, including with processors, once the proposal emerges. I cannot yet say when the new fish hygiene requirements will become law; this will need to be determined once the precise nature and scope of the new measures become clearer. Financial assistance through Community and national schemes under EC regulation 355/77 is currently available to processors to improve their facilities. While this regulation terminates for new applications in October 1990, the Commission has recently submitted proposals to the Council for a successor scheme.