Written question asked by David Porter (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 October 1996. It was answered by Tony Baldry (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 October 1996 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: If he will comment on why 360 tonnes of North Sea plaice received from Norway in September were swapped with the Netherlands for other species; what consultations were undertaken with the fishing industry; and how the swap was administered under the 1996 Quota Management Rules.

Answer: Mr. Porter: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on why 360 tonnes of North sea plaice received from Norway in September were swapped with the Netherlands for other species; what consultations were undertaken with the fishing industry; and how the swap was administered under the 1996 quota management rules. [179] Mr. Baldry: Earlier this year, the Commission secured an extra 1,250 tonnes of North sea plaice from Norway in exchange for 10,000 tonnes of EU blue whiting from areas Vb, VI and VII. The UK share of the extra plaice was some 360 tonnes. After careful consideration, and having regard to the 1996 quota management rules, it was decided to use the additional place to acquire a range of other stocks from the Netherlands. Specific consultation with the fishing industry was not necessary. The stocks obtained have been distributed proportionately to industry except for North area sole which is being allocated to the under--10--fleet in order to ensure that the fishery remains open into the autumn, having been closed for the first three months of 1996.

Secondary information