Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential economic effect on coastal communities of the UK's withdrawal from the Common Fisheries Policy.

Whilst no specific assessment has been carried out on the potential economic impact of leaving the Common Fisheries Policy, the Government’s White Paper on Sustainable Fisheries for Future Generations sets out our vision for the fishing fleet and the coastal communities that it supports. This includes seeking to secure increased fishing opportunities through the annual fisheries negotiations and moving away from relative stability towards a fairer and more scientific method for future TAC (total allowable catch) shares as a condition of future access.