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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Scottish Fisheries Minister, Richard Lochhead MSP, was invited to attend the European Council on Fishing on 10 November; and if not, why not.

Scottish Government ministers, as well as those of the other Devolved Administrations, are regularly part of the UK delegation to meetings of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council. They work closely with Defra ministers to agree shared UK positions and UK ministerial statements.

Mr Lochhead attended the Council meeting on 10 November as part of the UK delegation. He also attended the Secretary of State’s introductory meeting with new Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella.