Written question asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 June 2010.

Fishing: Common Fisheries Policy

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government , further to the Written Statement by Lord Henley on 22 June (WS 101) on reform of the common fisheries policy, whether they will propose that the responsibility for fisheries policy is returned to member states.

Answer: We need to move on from the current centralised common fisheries policy (CFP) that attempts to micromanage fishermen’s daily activities. In negotiations on the reform of the CFP, the UK will press for radical change that provides for serious devolution of decision-making, and simplification, to improve fisheries management. While it may be appropriate for genuinely strategic decisions to be taken at EU level, because many fish stocks are shared between various member states, more responsibility for implementation can, and should, be devolved to member states.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 762; 719 c264WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Fishing: Common Fisheries Policy
Monday, 12 July 2010
Written questions
House of Lords; EU: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects: Common fisheries policy Reform Subsidiarity
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk