Fish Conservation

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 9 Mai 1991.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of David Curry David Curry , Skipton and Ripon 12:00, 9 Mai 1991

The hon. Gentleman knows the facts. He cannot complain simultaneously that we are not introducing our own measures and that we are about to impose measures on the United Kingdom fleet because of the importance of the stocks that we must conserve. It is a difficult choice. We have not been afraid to take that choice. Many of the matters that the hon. Gentleman mentioned are in the United Kingdom proposals—for example, the single-net rule, which is applicable. Other measures can be proposed only by the Community. Where we have national scope, it must be within the framework of the Community rules. That is why we had to apply, for example, a 90 mm square mesh panel in a 90 mm net. We did not have the flexibility to go beyond that proposal. We have not hesitated to take those actions. Where we have taken those actions, they have hardly been greeted with overwhelming acclaim by the fishing industry.