§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she expects the EU Fisheries Scientific Research Centre to be located within the UK. [64508]
§ Mr. MorleyThe UK welcomes the importance placed on improving the quality of scientific advice for fisheries management in the Commission's recent communication on the reform of the common fisheries policy. In particular, we look forward to seeing the detailed action plan due to be published before the end of 2002. At this stage the proposal to develop a European Centre for Fisheries Assessment and Management is a long-term aim, one of many ideas to be explored during the course of the review. We feel confident, however, that the UK's fisheries scientists will continue to play a leading role in improving the quality of scientific advice available to fisheries managers.