Fishing Quota Negotiations: Impact on UK Fleet Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Aphra Brandreth
Main Page: Aphra Brandreth (Conservative - Chester South and Eddisbury)Department Debates - View all Aphra Brandreth's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Fishing Quota Negotiations: Impact on UK Fleet
Aphra Brandreth Excerpts(6 days, 12 hours ago)
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Andrew George
If we are to establish a sustainable fishing industry that is fair to UK fishermen, it is important that the industry is reviewed on its merits and on the basis of science, not on political horse-trading with other countries. I strongly accept that point.
Aphra Brandreth (Chester South and Eddisbury) (Con)
Given the debate we are having and the risk that our fishing communities could be used as a bargaining chip, does the hon. Member agree that, as the Government have said, food security is national security, and we cannot have our fishing communities and fishing stocks traded against defence in any way?
Andrew George
These negotiations are difficult at the best of times. We need to make sure these decisions are made on the basis of merit. Of course, we wish to re-establish UK fishing entitlement out to the 12 mile limit and to ensure that foreign vessels are not able to use their historic entitlements to fish within the 6 to 12 mile zone. Relative stability within the common fisheries policy left the UK, particularly in the western approaches, with a significantly poorer deal in comparison with many European countries, and that is the basis of a great deal of disquiet within the industry.