HL Deb 03 July 1997 vol 581 cc41-2WA
Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the current arrangements for 6 and 6 to 12 mile limits under the Common Fisheries Policy will expire in 2002 unless new derogations are agreed to.

Lord Donoughue

Yes. The current restrictions on foreign fishing vessels within our 6 and 12 mile fisheries limits will continue to apply until 31 December 2002. The Government are committed to securing their renewal after 2002 as part of the process of reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Commission, in the exchange of letters between the President of the Commission and the Prime Minister, has said that it seems unlikely that there will be a modification to the current access restrictions inside the 12 mile limits after 2002.

Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are confident that the European Commission will find it necessary to report to the Council later this year with proposals for improvements in the enforcement of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Lord Donoughue

In his letter of 17 June to the Prime Minister, a copy of which has been deposited in the Libraries of the House, the President of the Commission stated that:

"The Commission is examining improvements in enforcement within the framework of Council Regulation 2847/93 which establishes a monitoring regime for the Common Fisheries Policy. These may include strengthened obligations on Member States and clarification of the role of activity by the Commission's inspectors, to ensure that wherever fishermen land their catches, they are subject to equivalent measures. The Commission will report to the Council with proposals as necessary during 1997."

We have no reason to believe that the Commission will not fulfil this remit.

Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect the European Commission to publish proposals for the review of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002.

Lord Donoughue

In accordance with Article 14(2) of Council Regulation 3760/92, the Commission has to report to the Council and European Parliament, by 31 December 2002 at the latest, on the situation of the fishing industry in the Community and on the operation of the Common Fisheries Policy. The Commission has said that it intends to consult very widely before drawing up its report and indicated that these consultations are likely to begin in the near future.