§ Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much financial compensation has been provided by the European Community since 1987 for fishing rights in national waters of non-EC states; what total tonnage of fish and other stocks has been involved; what was the value of the stocks concerned at market levels; and what proportion of the tonnage was granted to British trawlers. [13852]
36W
§ Mr. MorleyDetails of the cost to the EU budget of fisheries agreements with third countries are provided in the table:
Cost of EU fisheries agreements with third countries ECU(million) 1987 81.9 1988 139.5 1989 161.5 1990 173.0 1991 171.4 1992 195.6 1993 188.9 1994 140.6 1995 158.1 19961 270.0 19971 246.3 1 Budget appropriation. Final outturn expenditure figures not yet available. The manner in which the fishing opportunities obtained in third country waters is expressed varies from agreement to agreement. Total vessel capacity, numbers of licences, reference tonnage's and numerical quotas are used either singly or in combination to describe the fishing opportunities available to Community vessels. It is not therefore possible to assess the total tonnage of fish stocks involved, the market value of the stocks concerned or the proportion granted to UK vessels.
On 30 October the Fisheries Council agreed a series of conclusions on future policy towards agreements with third countries, including the need for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis.