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MAFF Regional Panels
Mr. Letwin: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce MAFF regional panels. [3919]
Mr. Rooker: None. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced the disbandment of the MAFF regional panels on 28 May 1997, as part of a new approach to create a more direct, open and accessible Ministry for all those who use, live and work in the countryside.
Fish Quotas
Mr. Doran:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what income from the statutory levy on first-hand sale of fish was received by the Seafish
17 Jun 1997 : Column: 154
Industry Authority in the last full year for which figures are available; what quantities this represented for each species governed by quota regulations; and whether these figures for quantities sold were in line with recorded landings of each of those species. [3652]
Mr. Morley:
The amount of levy received by the Sea Fish Industry Authority (SFIA) in the financial year 1996-97 is as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Whitefish | 5,686,499 |
| Pelagic | 401,848 |
| Shellfish | 1,258,792 |
| Cockles etc. | 65,684 |
| Fishmeal | 336,449 |
| Total | 7,749,272 |
Levy is collected on first-hand sales of fish in the UK according to the method of its presentation on the market. Records of the levy collected by SFIA on such sales are not kept in a format that would enable the income to be broken down by species and compared with recorded landings.
Mr. Doran:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions inspectors from his Department stopped and checked overland consignments of fish from other ports to the fish market at Grimsby in the last year for which figures are available; and on how many occasions charges were brought for breaches of quota legislation. [3653]
Mr. Morley:
Over the last 12 months specific checks have been carried out on 14 consignments of fish brought overland to Grimsby pursuant to Article 13 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2847/93 of 12 October 1993 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy. There have been no prosecutions to date.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has to introduce mandatory minimum stunning current levels for each species prior to slaughter in slaughterhouses; and if he will make a statement. [3228]
Mr. Morley:
We welcome the fact that the European Commission is preparing a proposal which would introduce minimum stunning currents. We shall be supporting this, subject to the detailed provisions being satisfactory.