§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting on 28 October 1991.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to the reply, 6 November 1991, c. 163–64.]: I very much welcome the decision by the Japanese Government to ban large-scale high seas drift netting by the end of December 1992, with an interim step halving the use of such nets by the end of June 1992. This is a major step forward in protecting dolphins and other small cetaceans. It is particularly significant as it comes shortly after the European Community's own decision, for which we pressed hard, to stop the development of large-scale indiscriminate drift netting.
These decisions give clear notice to the world that the major fishing nations are not going to allow the development or expansion of such fisheries.
I am delighted at the news that the UN resolution calling for a moratorium on large-scale drift netting is having a clear effect. Britain continues to be determined to protect small cetaceans.