Clause 141
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
1:00 pm
Huw Irranca-Davies (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Marine and Natural Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Ogmore, Labour)
I agree entirely. The motivation behind the amendment is right, but we need to act in a way that is equitable and proportionate. It is an intelligent and ingenious amendment that tries to avoid the situation where only UK fishermen are affected by the removal of the sea fisheries defence and our European neighbours do not have to comply. The amendment finesses that, but it would mean that our fleet out to a certain range would be disadvantaged, compared with those who fish slightly beyond it. That seems inequitable.