HC Deb 19 February 1993 vol 219 cc362-3W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what efforts he is making to restrict the landing of North sea haddock to avoid early closure of the fishery;

(2) if he will ensure that the organisations responsible for the management of quotas act to reduce the present glut of haddock.

Mr. Curry

We are concerned that the early closure of the North sea haddock fishery should be avoided. With the increase in the total allowable catch for this fishery, we warned the industry, including product organisations, that it must act reasonably if it is to avoid disrupting the market and any repeat of the early closures which occurred in 1992. Discussions are taking place with the producer organisations about ways of improving quotas management and we shall be monitoring the situation very closely.

It is not for the Government to arrange the day-to-day catches of the industry. That is precisely what the producer organisations ought to be doing. If they are not able to do so, they should be addressing their management weaknesses and seeking effective and self-interested discipline for their members.

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