France And Drift Nets

EDM number 15 in 1993-94, proposed by Elliot Morley on 18/11/1993.

That this House is deeply concerned at the damage caused to fish stocks and wildlife such as dolphins, sharks, swordfish, sunfish, whales and sea birds by the use of large-scale drift-nets; notes that the United Nations has agreed to a world wide moratorium on the use of large-scale drift-nets and that the European Community commenced a ban on drift-nets over 2.5 km long on 1st June 1992 for all EC countries except France, which was granted a derogation for 37 of its boats until 31st December 1993 to allow the nets to be phased out; is deeply concerned at reports that the French will seek an extension of the exemption at the Council of Fisheries Ministers on 21st December 1993; and calls on the Government to remind the French that the derogation was granted to allow a phase out, not a loophole, and to completely oppose any attempt by the French to allow fishing with large scale drift-nets to continue.

This motion has been signed by a total of 108 MPs.