HC Deb 25 October 1995 vol 264 cc711-3W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of implementing the days at sea limitation provision of the Sea Fish Conservation Acts after the recent rejection of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations case against it by the European Court of Justice. [39354]

Mr. Baldry

I welcome the European Court of Justice's clear endorsement of the legality of the measures adopted by this House in 1993. However, after two years' delay while the legal processes have been taking place, I would not see it as being sensible to implement now the planned arrangements which were based on levels of fishing in 1991.

There have, in addition, been a number of developments in EU fisheries policy, including the new EU effort ceilings applying to all member states fishing in western waters, the enforcement of which is currently under discussion in the Fisheries Council. We also need to take account of the fact that the Council will soon be discussing the next stage of the multi-annual guidance programme to apply from 1997, in which it is expected that the concept of effort management will be extended further.

Against the background, I do not at present see it as appropriate to reactivate the days at sea policy. We need to look ahead in the wider context of EU policy developments and the growing role envisaged for effort management. This will need careful consideration in close consultation with the industry in order to find the best way of securing a proper balance between the legitimate activities of our fishermen and the need to conserve the fish stocks on which they depend for tomorrow's catches.

Meanwhile, we will continue to monitor the effort currently being deployed to ensure that it does not undermine the reductions in capacity which we are securing through the decommissioning programme.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will pay the costs incurred by the NFFO in its action against the days at sea limitation in the Sea Fish Conservation Acts. [39355]

Mr. Baldry

This case arose as a result of a judicial review sought by the NFFO of measures which had been adopted by both Houses of Parliament. The measures adopted by Parliament have been found by the European Court of Justice to be compatible with EU law. The question of costs, including the Government's defence costs, will be dealt with by the UK courts when they consider the rulings of the European Court of Justice.

Mr. Michell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the total costs incurred in setting up the machinery for implementing and adjudicating the days at sea provisions of the Sea Fish Conservation Acts. [39356]

Mr. Baldry

Implementation of the Sea Fish Licensing (Time at Sea) (Principles) Order 1993 was suspended pending the outcome of a legal challenge initiated by the United Kingdom fishing industry, which the European Court of Justice has not upheld. Because of the suspension, the provisions of the legislation relating to the operation of a tribunal were not put into effect. Costs associated with preparatory work on the policy within Government prior to the suspension are estimated at approximately £555,000.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he proposes to hold with fishermen's organisations and what proposals he intends to put up for technical conservation measures following the decision by the European Court that those are lawful methods of restraining fishing effort. [39357]

Mr. Baldry

Technical conservation measures already apply to all sectors of the fishing industry. Consultations have recently taken place on new measures affecting fixed gear. Further discussions are planned for both the North sea and western waters fisheries. The Government will not put forward any proposals without discussing them with the industry.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for increasing the saithe quota for British fishermen and for stopping the dumping of saithe. [39358]

Mr. Baldry

If the, fishing industry would like an increase in its saithe quota for 1995, I will explore the possibility of obtaining additional quantities through exchanges with other member states. The size of the United Kingdom quota for 1996 will be decided in the light of scientific advice on the state of the stocks.

In considering ways of improving the common fisheries policy, I will look at constructive ideas for reducing the discarding of saithe and all other fish.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the French and British total allowable catches for saithe; what is the distribution of saithe between British and French waters; and what are the reasons for the variation in total allowable catches. [39359]

Mr. Baldry

There are three saithe stocks for which the United Kingdom and France have quotas: ICES areas IIa, III and IV—(the North sea and Baltic)—areas Vb, VI, XII and XIV—(west of Scotland), and areas VII, VIII, IX, and X—waters to the west of Ireland, England, France, Spain and Portugal. UK and French shares of the European Community total allowable catch for each of these stocks, reflecting historic catches during the period 1973 to 1978, are as follows:

Per cent.
Stock UK France
North Sea and Baltic 17 51
West of Scotland 24 66
Other western waters 15 56

Among member states, France has the largest quota and the UK the second largest.

It is not possible to specify the distribution of saithe between British and French waters, since saithe cover extensive areas in their normal migration between spawning and feeding grounds.