7 December 2007

AGR 10/07

COMMITTEE MEETING WITH EU COMMISSIONER FOR FISH

The EU Commissioner for Fish, Commissioner Joe Borg met a cross-party delegation from the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development yesterday, 6 December 2007 in Brussels.

The delegation of Dr. William McCrea MP, Tom Elliott, PJ Bradley and Willie Clarke, were supported on the visit by Mr. Alan McCulla representing the fishing industry,.

Dr William McCrea MP, Committee Chairperson said:
“This was a significant opportunity given the proximity of the December Council meeting to decide on the days at sea and the quotas for the coming year, and the Committee is delighted to have been able to engage with the Commissioner in such a positive manner. Commissioner Borg listened to the arguments that the Committee and the industry presented and undertook to revisit a number of areas, including the proposed reductions to the haddock and herring catches specifically in the Irish Sea. He also set challenges to the industry relating to the preservation of the cod levels, challenges which we would encourage the industry to take up.

“It is also significant from the perspective that this is the first occasion that the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has engaged with policy makers at European level. We are aware that the CAP Health check will take place early in the New Year and we would seek to offer continued support to the agricultural industry by making representations at this time”.

Committee Membership:
Dr William McCrea MP, Chairperson
Tom Elliott, Deputy Chairperson
P.J. Bradley
Allan Bresland
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
Willie Clarke
William Irwin
Gerry McHugh
Francie Molloy
George Savage

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Belfast BT4 3XX.
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Website: http://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/