UK Fishers: EU Agreement Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateBaroness McIntosh of Pickering
Main Page: Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Baroness McIntosh of Pickering's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(3 days, 12 hours ago)
Lords ChamberAs I made quite clear, we intend to negotiate with the EU in the best interests of the fishing industry and to protect our fishing communities. However, due to the nature of the current negotiations regarding the EU reset, I am not in a position to give any further information about what we discussed at those meetings.
Does the Minister share my concern that fishers have lost 10% of their grounds through energy use, particularly through the Great British Energy Bill? How does she intend to address this spatial squeeze and ensure that the fisheries’ grounds loss is not permanent but will be compensated?
I am sure the noble Baroness is aware—because we have talked about it in relation to other issues with Defra—that we are working closely with other departments in this area, including DESNZ, to address exactly the kinds of issues she raises. I will go back to the department and talk to my colleague the Fisheries Minister, Daniel Zeichner, specifically about the point that she just raised.