§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the European Union on the Wildlife and Habitats Directive in relation to cetacean bycatch; and if she will make a statement. [101285]
§ Mr. MorleyThe UK has lost no opportunity in drawing to the Commission's attention our wish to see EU action on cetacean bycatch.I have raised this repeatedly with Commissioner Fischler, stressing in particular the need for a cetacean bycatch observer programme. Article 12(4) of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) requires member states to monitor the incidental capture of certain species, including cetaceans.
We raised the matter again, in the Council of Ministers in January, and direct with Franz Fischler in February, pressing for urgent action to widen coverage off the South West coast where a number of other member states' vessels fish. I was pleased that the Commission included a commitment to take action in this area in papers produced as part of the recent reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. I am looking for positive action on this in response to our recent approaches.