Minister to be quizzed by Lords on how his department will implement the EU's ban on fish discards
On Wednesday 12th December the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee will put concerns raised by conservation organisations, fisheries researchers and fisherman on the challenges of implementing the EU landing obligation to George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The Committee has heard evidence on the impact the EU landing obligation will have on fishermen's livelihoods and about the difficulties there will be in monitoring compliance with the new rules. The Committee will have the opportunity to hear from the Minister how the Government plans to tackle these issues and will ask questions including:
- Is the UK ready and able to fully implement the landing obligation from January?
- What additional resources will be needed to monitor compliance?
- What steps are being taken to protect the fishing industry, and how will this be balanced with the need to protect fish stocks and prevent overfishing?
- What impact will leaving the EU have on implementing the landing obligation?
The evidence session will begin at 11:00am in Committee room 2 of the House of Lords.
In advance of the session with the Minister, the Committee will take evidence from the Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland on the steps they are taking to prepare for implementing the landing obligation. This session will begin at 10am in Committee Room 2.
The Committee have asked for written evidence to inform the inquiry, this can be submitted online using the form found here. The deadline is 11.59pm on Thursday 13 December.
