§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has made to the French Government about biological testing of third-party fish; what effect such testing has had on fish markets particularly as respects the United Kingdom; and what proposals she has to get such testing stopped.
§ Mr. JackThe embassy in Paris has made representations to the French authorities about the unacceptable delays caused to fish imports of third country origin by the strict controls presently being imposed by the French authorities. Clearly these controls are likely to be adding to market disruption elsewhere by diverting goods from the French market. We have also written to the European Commission explaining that we consider the controls go further than is permitted by EU requirements and requesting the Commission urgently to consider their legality.