EU Fish Stocks

HC Deb 11 December 1996 vol 287 c274W

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if equal access for each member state to the EU's fish stocks will apply from 1 January 2003. [8301]

Mr. Baldry

At present member states do not enjoy equal access to EU fish stocks. There are restrictions on access within coastal waters and areas such as the Shetland box and Irish box. The principle of equal access is further overlaid in practice by other elements of the common fisheries policy including the operation of quotas under relative stability and the ceilings on effort in Western waters.

Under Council regulation (EEC) No. 3760/92 the Council has to decide before 31 December 2002 on any necessary adjustments to be made to the present arrangements. The Government are committed to opposing changes to introduce equal access.