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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to upcoming fisheries negotiations with the EU, Norway and north eastern Atlantic coastal states, if the Government will make it its policy not to set catch limits for any stocks in excess of scientific advice.

The UK advocates an approach towards setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) which is founded on the best available scientific advice and which will maintain or rebuild sustainable fish stocks and fisheries.