§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 22 November; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackI represented the United Kingdom at the Council of EC Fisheries Ministers held in Brussels on 22 November.
The Council voted unanimously to agree the fish support prices for 1994. This was the only vote at this Council. The prices set reflect developments on the market, and the United Kingdom secured some adjustments to the Commission's proposals to reflect particular concerns of our industry. The United Kingdom also secured the continuance of the dual guide price system for herring, which is designed to enable the United Kingdom industry to take best advantage of EC market support mechanisms.
The Council held a further discussion on the Commission's proposal for changes to the rules governing fishing by Spain and Portugal. The Commission's proposal was unsatisfactory to a majority of delegations including the United Kingdom. As a result, the Belgian presidency will be looking for an alternative way foward. I repeated my insistence that the eventual decision must respect member states' existing shares of available quotas—"relative stability"—and must not allow any increase in fishing effort. I also stressed my determination to find satisfactory arrangements to apply in the Irish box. Discussions will be taken up in the December Council at which time decisions may be reached on these matters.
At the United Kingdom's request, the Council had a further discussion on industrial fishing. We received strong support from a number of member states to our request that the Commission should press ahead quickly with a thorough study of the subject including its possible effects on the marine ecosystem and marine mammals and birds. Pilot projects will be set up to study control and management problems on industrial fisheries. The Commission was asked to report back to the Council, if possible before 31 March 1994.
The Council reached unanimous agreement in principle to adopt measures this year on standards for the minimum information to appear in all member states' fishing licences. More detailed aspects of the Commission's proposal on fishing licences and permits will be considered further during 1994.