AQW 4472/16-21

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 03/10/2016
Answered On Date: 18/10/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline her plans to (i) protecting fishing stocks; and (ii) stop overfishing if fishing quotas and the Common Fisheries Policy are replaced following the referendum result to leave the European Union.

Answer:

As I have said previously, new arrangements will need to be negotiatied between the UK, the EU and other coastal states to manage fishing opportunities and access to resources. The trading and support framework that will apply to the fisheries sector following a UK withdrawal from the European Union will be the subject of negotiation.

I have already held a series of meetings with both Ministers from the UK government and Devolved Adminsitrations as well as with our own stakeholders to consider the potential implications of Brexit. The meetings included discussions on the need to ensure that future trade and policy frameworks take account of the importance of Northern Ireland’s agri-food and fishing industries, rural communities and environment sector.

I intend to be closely and directly involved in the domestic agricultural, environmental, fisheries, and trade policy agendas as they unfold in order to maximise the opportunities that will come from leaving the European Union.