Andrew George M.P. and Mike Treleaven in constructive talks with Brixham's fishing leaders.

6.53.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 7th Mar 2005

Liberal Democrat Shadow Fisheries Minister, Andrew George M.P. and Mike Treleaven, Totnes Prospective Parliamentary Candidate today had a useful and constructive meeting with Rick Smith, chairman of Brixham Trawler Agents and Jim Portus, Chief Executive of South West Fish Producers Organisation. During the meeting they explored a wide range of issues including the Common Fisheries Policy, dolphin deaths, fish quotas, regulation, satellite monitoring and co-operation with scientists.

There was a distinct mood of optimism at the meeting with Mr. Smith and Mr. Portus pleased at the increased quotas negotiated before Christmas and the positive impression made by new E.U. fisheries commissioner Joe Borg. Andrew George and Mike Treleaven also agreed on the principle of repatriation of control of fisheries management.

Commenting after the meeting Mike Treleaven said:

'We would never discount any realistic, workable and deliverable policy proposal which would improve the prospects of a sustainable UK fishing industry. However those who claim that they can pull out of the CFP whilst remaining in Europe are perpetuating a fantasy and playing politics with the expectations of desperate fishing communities.'

He continued:

'Where we agree is that British fishermen would be far better served by maximising the repatriation of fishing policy and power rather than control from an over centralised Europe, claims of unilateral withdrawal are, however desirable, clearly unachievable. However there may be prospects in the future, when a new accession country like Norway or Iceland, with a clear political interest in fisheries, attempts to negotiate their own entry. We would then have the opportunity to put right the Conservative mistakes of the past when our own terms of accession were negotiated.'

'Similarly we can continue to press for further decentralisation to Regional Management Committees. This process is beginning now, but at too slow a pace.'

Talking about the more immediate agenda Andrew George M.P. said:

'I am pleased to see that very significant progress is being made with cooperation between scientists and fishermen. We were arguing for that to happen 5 years ago when they were hardly talking to each other.'

'The fishermen have now discovered that through joint working they negotiated a higher monk fish quota in 2004 and have now achieved a much higher dover sole quota this year - based on sound science. That's the way to go!'