§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will continue to make available licences to take mussel seed stock for the purpose of ongrowing; and if he will make a statement. [21663]
§ Mr. MorleyThis year licences have been made available on request to registered shellfish farmers in England and Wales to enable them to collect wild mussel seed for cultivation on registered shellfish farms. We shall continue to make such licences available and will be discussing the detailed arrangements with the shellfish industry and with other interests. Vessels licensed in this way will not count against the United Kingdom's objectives under the EU's Multi-Annual Guidance Programme.