12. Mr. Michael Jabez FosterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his priorities are for the 2002 review of the common fisheries policy. [142348]
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§ Mr. MorleyThe Government wish to see the maintenance of key features of the present arrangements, such as national quotas, based on relative stability and access restrictions within national 6/12 mile limits. At the same time, we want to secure improvements to make the CFP a more effective instrument for conserving fish stocks, including enhancing the regional dimension, integrating environmental considerations more fully and reducing discards.
§ 19. Mrs. GilroyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to secure a greater regional dimension to the common fisheries policy. [142356]
§ Mr. MorleyI have been actively supporting the strengthening of the regional dimension of the common fisheries policy. At my initiative, the Irish sea cod recovery programme has been developed through regional consultations involving fishermen, scientists and managers from the member states concerned. A similar model will now be used for the North sea cod and hake recovery programmes. This is very much the direction in which I want to see the common fisheries policy develop.