§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the 18 month study on fisheries discards which commenced in June was put out to tender. [99409]
§ Mr. MorleyThe study was proposed by a consortium of researchers from the UK, France and the Netherlands as a response to an open call for research relating to the Common Fisheries Policy made by the European Commission in 1997. The project proposal competed for funding with other applications under this programme, and was successful in gaining grant from the EU for 50 per cent. of its cost. The remainder of the cost has subsequently been met by the Dutch and French Governments and by MAFF in the case of the UK element.