Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether he had advanced sight of the European Council statement on a future UK-EU fisheries agreement based on exiting reciprocal access and quota share when she approved the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration.

The Political Declaration makes clear that both the EU and the UK will use their 'best endeavours' to conclude a future fisheries agreement by 1 July 2020. The European Council statement sets out the EU’s view of their position, but ultimately access to our waters will be a matter for negotiation.

We remain committed to getting the best deal for the whole of the UK fishing industry, including a fair share of quotas. A Government amendment has been made to the Fisheries Bill placing a legal obligation on the Government, when negotiating a fisheries agreement with the EU, to pursue a greater share of fishing opportunities (looked at in the round) than the UK currently receives under the Common Fisheries Policy.