Committee
Environment and Rural Development Committee, 24 Jan 2007
24 Jan 2007 · S2 · Environment and Rural Development Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls (No 2) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2006 (SSI 2006/602)
It seems that we are being asked to pass a negative instrument before there has been time for full consideration of the implications. As you know, the purpose of the amendment order is to prohibit all trawls of more than two nets in Scottish waters. However, I find myself wondering why the order has been laid, given that, although it will ban the use of four nets by Scottish fishermen, it will have no effect on fishermen of other European Union nations, which will mean that the Dutch and the Danes will continue to use four nets. It is discriminatory against Scottish fishermen and defies the EU's claims to be a level playing field. Further, according to much of the evidence that has been brought before me, far from acting as a conservation measure, dropping down to a two-net rig might have an adverse effect on conservation.This order became law on January 22. Given that, as I understand the situation, three vessels have been given exemption by the Executive to continue using their multiple-trawl gear in order to collect scientific evidence to show that this is an effective conservation measure, why are we not waiting until we have the outcome of the trial that involves those three vessels? Why are we being asked to pass this negative instrument now? The minister should come back with answers to those questions before we vote.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
The Subordinate Legislation Committee has made comments on both the Scottish statutory instruments that we are considering today, which have been included in...
Mr Brocklebank:
Con
It seems that we are being asked to pass a negative instrument before there has been time for full consideration of the implications. As you know, the purpos...
The Convener:
Lab
Are there any other comments?
Mr Morrison:
Lab
Although it is not my job to respond to Ted Brocklebank, I refer him to the first line of paragraph 3 of the regulatory impact assessment, which says:"This w...
Rob Gibson:
SNP
We hear that there are between three and five vessels. Can we have some indication of where they are fishing at the moment? I would be interested to know tha...
The Convener:
Lab
We can certainly write to the minister and raise the various questions that have been asked by the committee today.
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I have a small point to add to the letter. I understand that other EU states are going to adopt similar measures and I would be interested to know their time...
The Convener:
Lab
We can defer consideration of the order until next week. Would it be appropriate to write to the minister with our various queries, see what answers we get a...
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
How many multiple-trawl boats are there? There seems to be a very small number; there may be only three and they may have been given a derogation to undertak...
The Convener:
Lab
Sure. We do not know the exact number; it is between two and five.
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
We do not know what the small number is. If there are only three vessels and they have been given a derogation to do research, that would alter the argument.
Mr Morrison:
Lab
I am perfectly happy to pass the order today, on the clear understanding that ministers will respond to legitimate questions, as they always do.
The Convener:
Lab
We have a week, so we can defer the order, consider it and pass it next week. It will give people comfort if we get a response from the minister before we co...