To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2009, Official Report, column 1590, on fishing catches, whether the Lithuanian and Polish vessels referred to were entitled to fish in North sea fishing grounds prior to their countries’ accession to the European Union. (287856)

The catch statistics for Polish and Lithuanian landings from the North sea provided in my answer of 22 January 2009, Official Report, column 1590, relate to landings in 2006. Both Poland and Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004 and therefore were members at that time. Access to North sea fish quota is determined by historic rights or else the countries in question would be required to swap in or purchase quota to access the fishery.