22 December 2005
Commenting on the Fishing Deal reached in Brussels during the night, MEP Jim Allister, said:-
“Under this deal the Irish Sea is the only part of UK waters to suffer an overall cut in the value of its permitted catch. This means a cut in income for our fishermen. Well done Lord Rooker! By not caring enough to even go to Brussels you let down those you are supposed to represent. Scotland’s Minister was there, Scotland got an increase in the value of its catch. Likewise the South-west, with the English Minister there, but Lord Rooker, probably in his bed when the deal was done at 4.00am, sought and delivered nothing for Northern Ireland’s fishermen. I agree with colleagues that he should go.
The marginal increase of 10% in the allowable catch of prawns and of 15% on plaice, while in themselves welcome, are undone by the 15% cut in whitefish and the cut of 25 days at sea for prawn boats and 5 days for whitefish boats. In addition, of course, we will have a spring closed period for the 7th year under the failed Cod Recovery Scheme, at a time when Rooker is saying there will be no Transitional Aid this year.”
Fishing
