§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ban high seas drift nets in EU waters and by EU vessels at the next Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting. [4042]
§ Mr. BaldryThe European Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries has twice examined the science relating to drift net fishing by EU vessels and concluded that there is no justification for a ban. My policy will continue to be based on the science, including an interim report just received from the sea mammals research unit.