To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely economic impact on fishermen of the quota swap of UK prawns for German sole; and if he will make a statement. (131321)

In 2006, the UK under-fished its North Sea nephrops quota by some 3,429 tonnes, 2,443 tonnes of which has been carried over to 2007. This takes this year’s UK quota for this stock to 25,087 tonnes, which is 4,084 tonnes above the level of its actual landings in 2006.

In view of this, we concluded that “top-slicing” 375 tonnes from the UK’s North Sea nephrops quota to pay for the quota swap with Germany would not have a significant impact on those groups targeting nephrops. Any disadvantage would be greatly outweighed by the benefit to the inshore fleet of securing 150 tonnes of North Sea sole. Without this quantity of sole, there was a real possibility of a significant number of small fishing enterprises going out of business, with a knock-on effect for shore-based companies and the viability of small fishing ports in South East England.

Fisheries Administrations will be consulting the catching industry on the apportionment of the 375 tonne reduction in North Sea nephrops quota.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that there is sufficient quota for the under 10 metre fishing fleet for 2008. (130945)

Fisheries Administrations are considering the future management arrangements for the under 10 metre fleet as part of the Quota Management Change Programme. Work on this has already begun in the light of the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit report “Net Benefits”. In this context, we are examining a range of issues, including:

(i) the balance of quota between the under and over 10 metre sectors

(ii) the potential for expansion in fishing effort within the under 10 metre fleet

(iii) and whether the current management systems for these vessels are still appropriate.

We expect to go out to consultation on proposals in the second half of 2007, with a view to introducing any changes (possibly on a phased basis) from next year. In the meantime, Fisheries Administrations will continue to enhance the fishing opportunities for the under 10 metre fleet wherever possible. This will be done through existing mechanisms such as the facility for quota “swaps” with other groups within the UK and with other member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has plans to swap fish quota with other countries; and if he will make a statement. (130981)

Fisheries administrations swap fish quotas with other EU member states on a regular basis. Quota swaps are undertaken in order to maximise fishing opportunities for the UK fleet. In 2006, some 95 quota swaps were undertaken between the UK and other member states.