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 Elliot Morley Elliot Morley , Glanford and Scunthorpe 12:00, 9 Mai 1991

During these exchanges hon. Members have expressed the need to link conservation measures with a reduction of effort. I was recently in Brussels to talk to the fisheries directorate-general, which expressed great surprise at the fact that, of all the countries in Europe, this country has not taken the opportunity of using the EC funds that are available for decommissioning schemes in order to reduce that effort. I agree that we need a package of measures and that, on its own, decommissioning would not be adequate. However, will the Minister give the House the undertaking that he will make it a priority to discuss with the industry a total package on conservation and, above all, on effort limitation, which would involve fair compensation for the fishermen who have suffered so much as a result of the measures to reduce the pressure on fish stocks?