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Written question asked by Matthew Offord (Conservative) on Monday, 18 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 March 2024. It was answered by Mark Spencer (Conservative) on Friday, 12 April 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Fisheries: Imports

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that imported fisheries products are not produced through the use of (a) illegal, (b) unreported and (c) unregulated fishing practices.

Answer

Imports and direct landings of fish into the UK are required to be accompanied by catch certificates. This ensures traceability throughout the supply chain to mitigate the risk of the fish having been derived from illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing.

The UK has powers to apply import restrictions to countries identified as non-cooperative in tackling IUU fishing. At present, the UK does not permit the import of fishery products from Comoros, Cambodia or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Import restrictions can also be implemented at vessel level. Any vessel that has been identified as associated with IUU fishing activities, can be placed on the UK’s IUU Vessel List meaning it is not eligible to import fishery products into the UK. Advice and guidance for importers of fish and fisheries products is available on GOV.UK.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
19049
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Fisheries Imports Regulation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk