Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations he has received from Cornish fishermen on the (a) towing of gear away from Cornish boats and (b) turning off of AIS transponders by French fishing boats; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
A number of representations were received, including from the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation Ltd (CFPO), regarding the alleged incidents involving French fishing vessels within the UK’s territorial waters.
The Marine Management Organisation held discussions with fishermen in Cornwall about the alleged incidents. They investigated and passed information to the French Authorities.
We understand that the CFPO held constructive talks with their French counterparts and agreed ways of working which will avoid similar incidents. The arrangements will be reviewed in December.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to introduce compulsory Common Market Organisation contracts between producers and purchasers in the dairy sector.
Answered by David Rutley
The Government is committed to improving supply chain fairness and intends to introduce regulation in the dairy sector to improve contractual practice. We will be launching a formal consultation to gather stakeholder views, and in advance of this we have already held a number of discussions with key industry bodies.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage young people into farming.
Answered by George Eustice
The government is reforming post-16 technical education to provide clear routes to skilled employment in agriculture and other sectors. A key part of this is the introduction of new T level programmes, which alongside apprenticeships, will sit within 15 routes, including an Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care route.
The government also published a Policy Statement in September 2018, alongside its landmark Agriculture Bill. This sets out how we will help facilitate structural change to open up more opportunities for new entrants to farming by delinking Direct Payments from the land during the agricultural transition period.
We are also exploring how to help Local Authorities who want to invest in their Council Farms, so that they offer real opportunities for new farmers to start a foundation business and gain the experience they need to progress onto a larger unit.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to maintain a sustainable level of brown crab numbers in the South West.
Answered by George Eustice
The recently published 2017 crab stock assessment shows that the Western English Channel brown crab stock size has remained unchanged since the last assessment in 2014, with exploitation levels close to the levels required for maximum sustainable yield.
There are a number of control measures in place at European, national and local level which are summarised in this stock status report. The assessment indicates that the South West brown crab fishery is being managed sustainably. The next assessment should take place in 2019.
The 2017 Edible Crab Stock Status Report can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/722904/Cefas_Crab_Stock_Assessment_2017.pdf.