Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Monday, 5 June 2006.

Fishing: Salmon

Question: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 10 February (WA 125), whether they have made representations to the Government of the Irish Republic on the obligations under the European Union Habitat Directive and the United Nations Law of the Sea in respect of drift netting of north Atlantic salmon; and what were the results of those representations.

Answer: Her Majesty’s Government have not made representations to the Irish Government regarding their obligations under the EC Habitats Directive nor their obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Her Majesty’s Government take the view that resolution of this issue should properly be dealt with in an EU context rather than through a larger international forum. In this regard we note that the European Commission has issued a letter of formal complaint to the Irish Government about the effects of drift netting on the conservation status of salmon. This is the first step towards a possible action in the European Court of Justice against Ireland in respect of its failure to meet obligations towards salmon under the EC Habitats Directive. Unless and until the Commission formally institutes such action, its case against the Irish Government is not a matter of public record, nor is the UK Government given the opportunity to comment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5158; 682 c149WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Fishing: Drift Nets
Friday, 10 February 2006
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Conservation Fisheries EU law Fish Republic of Ireland Drift nets Salmon UN Convention on the Law of the Sea North Atlantic Ocean
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk