Quota Trading needed to Stop Fish Dumping - Huhne

12.00.00am GMT Tue 20th Nov 2007

Commenting on the review of European Union fish quotas, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defra Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"It is madness to make fishermen throw dead fish back into the sea.

"Instead, they should be forced to buy extra quotas for any fish that they land where they are not authorised to do so.

"This would provide a real incentive to apply the technological solutions, such as selective gear, needed to stop accidental catches without wasting perfectly edible fish.

"When setting overall quotas, ministers should rigorously follow scientific advice. If Defra's advice is more favourable to higher quotas, the department should put that advice into the public domain."