Major’s defeat unlikely to hinder fishing quota talks

Date: 21/12/1995

By Michael Mann

UK Prime Minister John Major's defeat in the House of Commons over the level of EU fish quotas for 1996 is unlikely to make much practical difference when fisheries ministers meet in Brussels to thrash out the final accord.

While it might give British Fisheries Minister Tony Baldry ammunition to persuade his counterparts of the strength of feeling in the UK at today's (21 December) meeting, it is not expected to change the nature of what has become an annual pre-Christmas ritual in Brussels.

Every year, the European Commission makes proposals for reductions in certain Total Allowable Catches (TACs), and every year ministers water down those proposals, claiming simultaneously to have won a victory for their own fishermen as well as for fisheries conservation.

The situation looks unlikely to be very different this year. Once again, scientific data shows the situation for some species in EU waters to be critical.

The attempt by 17 British Conservative MPs to add an amendment to this week's non-binding 'Take Note' motion calling for the UK to withdraw from the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is also likely to have little impact, beyond adding further tension to the strained relationship between Major and a maverick band of Eurosceptic MPs.

Media coverage of the House of Commons vote concentrated naturally enough on a renewed defeat for Major on a European issue. It also gave a much greater profile than ever before to what is a standard part of CFP business.

Commission proposals completed on 9 December suggested cuts of up to 50&percent; in certain key stocks. The North Sea mackerel stock shared with Norway is due to be cut from 635,000 tonnes in 1995 to 420,000 tonnes.

Despite certain bright spots, including the small increase proposed for cod, EU fishermen are naturally concerned at plans to place a further squeeze on their only source of income.

For northern fishermen, the most sensitive stocks are North Sea herring, mackerel, sole and plaice, and mackerel and herring in western waters. Spanish fishermen are especially concerned to maintain the TAC for hake in western waters at something like current levels.

In December 1995, ministers overturned Commission proposals for a 40&percent; cut in this TAC for the fourth year in succession, a good representation of the power of domestic lobbies to influence the outcome of the negotiations.

The fact that ministers from all the major fishing nations are all working towards the same end means that the hard-pressed British government will not stand alone. Under the terms of the CFP, an increase in fishing quotas for British fishermen will also bring with it increases for the other fleets with access to the same stocks. This is because of the concept of relative stability - the foundation of the CFP - which ensures that member states always receive the same percentage share of each TAC every year.

As such, while Baldry will be able to walk away from this week's meeting proclaiming his success in damage limitation, his colleagues from the other major fishing nations will be able to do the same.

This will probably not stop the grumbling from fisheries organisations and will certainly do nothing to attack the underlying problem of over-capacity in the industry.