§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether she intends to discuss the use of drift nets over 2.5 km long at the Council of European Community Fisheries Ministers on 22 November.
§ Mr. JackThe agenda for the November Council of Fisheries Ministers has not yet been settled by the Belgian presidency and so at this stage we are not certain if the issue will be discussed. Currently, no proposal for an extension of the derogation has been received.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many breaches of the United Nations ban on drift nets over 2.5 km long there have been in(a) United Kingdom territorial waters and (b) international waters during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. JackWe are not aware of any cases of United Kingdom vessels breaching the drift net rules in any water. We have no information on infringements by vessels from other countries, European or otherwise.