Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the state of negotiations within the European Union on the system that allows foreign fishing boats ("quota hoppers") to catch fish using quotas which have been allocated to the United Kingdom. [HL2306]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)In July 1998, the European Commission confirmed that the measures which the United Kingdom proposed to take for ensuring an economic link between UK flagged vessels and populations dependent on fisheries and related industries were compatible with Community law. Those measures took effect from 1 January 1999. A paper setting out the new requirements was placed in the Library of the House on 30 July 1998.