COMMON FISHERIES POLICY

That this House is deeply concerned about the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) fishing policy, in particular the failure of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) regulations, which have led to progressive cuts in quota and are now denying smaller and inshore boats and local communities that are reliant on fishing the ability to earn a fair standard of living, in contravention of CFP treaty articles; notes the vote of no confidence against DEFRA by the Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries Committee and community fishermen in the South East of England; and calls on the Minister responsible to meet fishermen to develop a sustainable solution that does not sacrifice the smaller, inshore fishing industry and communities.