Asked by: Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many visits were made by Ministers of her Department to Torbay constituency in the 12 months to 14 October 2014; whom the invitation for each such visit was issued by; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such visit.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
There have been no official Ministerial invitations or visits to the Torbay constituency in 12 months to 14 October 2014.
Asked by: Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of fish stocks in the English Channel over the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
At the annual EU fishing quota negotiations in December I secured a deal on quotas for 2014 which was positive both for the sustainability of UK fish stocks and our fishing industry. My position on quotas was based on three clear principles: following the available scientific advice; achieving sustainable levels of fishing (known as Maximum Sustainable Yield) by 2015 where possible and by 2020 at the latest; and reducing discards.
Asked by: Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to preserve and increase fish stocks in UK waters.
Answered by George Eustice
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) makes an annual assessment of the status and trends in fish stocks. This includes assessments for the main commercial stocks in the English Channel. These are available on the ICES website.