HC Deb 20 March 1989 vol 149 cc471-2W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he intends to take at the Council of Ministers to prevent the Dutch Government from permitting vessels over 4,000 brake horsepower to derate their engines to below the 1800 brake horsepower cut-off which allows these vessels south of 55° north.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The derating of the engines of Dutch fishing vessels to enable them to fish in the North sea south of 55° north between 1 April and 30 June is a matter for the Dutch authorities and the Commission. We shall be following closely any developments.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring his Department has done in the past six months as to how successfully the Dutch and Belgian Governments are enforcing agreed European Community rules on fishing vessels.

Mr. Donald Thompsan

It is primarily the reponsibility of the Commission to monitor member states' compliance with Community rules and the Community inspectorate makes frequent visits to member states to examine their control and inspection arrangements. The United Kingdom continues to inspect Belgian and Dutch vessels, along with other nationalities, operating in British fishery limits. We also continue to press for improved enforcement and control of the common fisheries policy throughout the Community.