The UK’s Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon, will present the details of the proposals for a discards ban as part of the Common Fisheries Policy to the House of Lords tomorrow.
The House Lords EU Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy supported the discard ban in a 2008 report and this inquiry will find out what legal measures need to be introduced to enforce a discards ban. The Committee will also ask Mr Benyon how the government intends to work with the European Commission and other Member States to ensure the ban is enforced throughout the EU.
Commenting ahead of the evidence session Baroness Scott, Chair of the Lords EU Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy, said, “We all know that declining fish stocks are a real concern and that reform to the Commons Fisheries Policy is needed to ensure our seas do not become barren. Recent campaigns suggest the public oppose the widespread practice of discarding unwanted fish back into the sea and our 2008 report supported calls for a discard ban.
“However if a ban is to work it needs to take into account the economic incentives for fishermen. We also need more clarity on how a discard ban would be enforced. Our short inquiry will provide an independent assessment of the proposed reforms and our evidence session with Richard Benyon will be important in helping us understand the government’s position”
