To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his estimate is of the appropriate level for total allowable catch in the North Sea for (a) herring, (b) cod, (c) haddock, (d) whiting, (e) plaice and (f) sole in 2008; and if he will make a statement. (165470)

In the light of the latest scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), in the current EU/Norway negotiations, we are seeking the following changes to the total allowable catches (TAC) in the North sea for 2008:

(a) to limit the cut in herring to 35 per cent.;

(b) a 15 per cent. increase in cod;

(c) to limit the cut in haddock to 15 per cent., in line with the joint management plan;

(d) to limit the cut in whiting to 15 per cent.; and

(e) to set the plaice TAC in line with the joint management plan.

In addition, in the discussions surrounding the December EU Fisheries Council, we will be seeking to limit the cut in the North sea sole TAC to 15 per cent. (f).