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

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the Specialised Committee on Fisheries to be established under the provisions of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

• The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for a number of Specialised Committees which sit underneath the Partnership Council. The Specialised Committee on Fisheries will provide a forum for discussion and co-operation in relation to sustainable fisheries management.

• Until the TCA has been ratified in European parliament, the Partnership Council and Specialised Committees will not become operational. The membership and administration of the Partnership Council and the supporting Specialised Committees is being worked through at a UK level in anticipation of ratification.