UK Shellfish Exports Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Jacob Young
Main Page: Jacob Young (Conservative - Redcar)Department Debates - View all Jacob Young's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(3 years, 2 months ago)
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George Eustice
I do not think it would solve this issue in one fell swoop, since the regulations that require the depuration of molluscs coming from class B waters are already in EU law. This is really a change that the EU is making to its law. It is not even that the EU would accept it if we had the same approach; indeed, standards in our own waters are higher than in most EU waters. I therefore do not accept that offering to align with the EU would be of any assistance at all in this instance. What we need is for the EU to abide by its own laws.
Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con)
On vaccines, on Northern Ireland and now on fishing, is it not the case that the EU says one thing and does the other? Will the Government supercharge their investment in the UK fish processing industry so that coastal communities like mine in Redcar and Cleveland can be supported?
George Eustice
My hon. Friend speaks for many Members of the House representing coastal communities. Yes, indeed, as we leave the European Union there is an opportunity to build back those coastal communities and invest in aquaculture, port facilities and fish processing facilities. We have launched a new £100 million fund to support such investment.