Mr President, fishing is one of the toughest professions as I am sure many of us know. For many fishing communities there are few areas of possible diversification to make even a subsistence living. I believe that the practical effect of this measure is the exclusion of Cornish and other fishermen from the Bay of Biscay at a time when other nations are entering their fishing grounds. To me the greatest ecological threat to the oceans is not actually the 2.5 km drift nets but the fishing out of juvenile stocks against existing Community laws which we seem unable to enforce. That is the matter that should be addressed urgently by the European Parliament and its committees.

I note in the report that there are many references to financial provisions but to me there is no guarantee of financial compensation whatsoever. I hear the brave words now but you can guarantee the cash will never arrive afterwards. Long drift nets have already been banned. That is good but this proposal today is a blunt instrument that does not address the key ecological threat that is sudden death to many fishing communities.