Written question asked by Owen Paterson (Conservative) on Monday, 18 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 November 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make representations to the EU Commission (a) to close the sole fishery in the Eastern Irish Sea and (b) to make a minimum 110 mesh size for cod ends mandatory.

Answer: Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make representations to the EU Commission (a) to close the sole fishery in the Eastern Irish Sea and (b) to make a minimum 110 mesh size for cod ends mandatory. [192941] Mr. Bradshaw: No. UK fishermen land significant quantities of sole from the Eastern Irish Sea. There is no reason why they should not continue to do so. Mesh sizes in the Irish Sea--as elsewhere--vary between fisheries from small meshes used to catch shrimps to 100mm or more used to catch cod. I have no plans to make 110mm mesh mandatory in all these fisheries.

Secondary information