§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 30 March; and if he will make a statement. [79883]
§ Mr. MorleyI, together with my noble Friend Lord Sewel, the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, represented the UK. The Council adopted the Autonomous Tariff Quotas covering imports at reduced tariffs of fisheries products required by the processing industry in 1999. Ireland and Italy voted against. It had a first debate on Commission proposals implementing in the fisheries sector the reform of the EU structural funds. This revealed a wide range of views. The Commission presented its proposals on reform of the marketing regime and on the listing of serious infringements. The Presidency is aiming to reach agreement on these three regulations at the Fisheries Council on 10 June.
I raised the need for the Commission to make early progress, taking account of forthcoming scientific advice, on measures to conserve sandeel stocks for seabirds which are dependent on them, particularly during the breeding season. I also pressed the Commission to bring forward its promised proposals on the allocation of the new Total Allowable Catches for spurdog and for Northern Shrimp and the existing Total Allowable Catch for blue whiting.