Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2015 to Question 16561, if she will publish her response to the European Commission's proposals referred to on bass management.

I am finalising the UK approach on management of all stocks, including bass, for negotiation at the December Fisheries Council. We do not publish the UK negotiating position, however my officials, in consultation with me and their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations, have been discussing our views with the European Commission, the Presidency and other Member States. We have also been taking on board the views of stakeholders. I can assure the honourable member that I will be seeking an outcome on bass management which is based on achieving sustainability of the stock and which recognises the interests of the commercial and recreational fishing sectors.