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UK claims breakthrough in fish dumping talks UK claims breakthrough in fish dumping talks
(about 1 hour later)
The UK says it has secured new laws with the European Union over the controversial dumping of unwanted fish.The UK says it has secured new laws with the European Union over the controversial dumping of unwanted fish.
Fisheries minister Richard Benyon said the "reforms" would make discards "a thing of the past".Fisheries minister Richard Benyon said the "reforms" would make discards "a thing of the past".
EU fisheries ministers have agreed to detailed measures, including a ban on dumping pelagic fish, such as mackerel and herring.EU fisheries ministers have agreed to detailed measures, including a ban on dumping pelagic fish, such as mackerel and herring.
Mr Benyon said the next step was for the European parliament to agree on the measures.Mr Benyon said the next step was for the European parliament to agree on the measures.
After night-long discussions, the ministers agreed on a package of reform which include detailed measures to ban the discarding of fish and legally binding limits to ensure fishing levels are sustainable. Ministers have been negotiating the terms of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) for three years.
They also agreed on provisions to decentralise decision making, which would allow member states more control over their own fisheries. The night-long negotiations drew to a close early on Wednesday, with only Sweden voting against the measures.
'Key principles'
Once finalised by the European parliament, a ban on dumping will be introduced on 1 January 2015 for pelagic fish - fish that live near the surface,rather than in deep water.
The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) said the ban had been "put back". It was originally hoped it would be enforced in January 2014.
Mr Benyon said: "This was a difficult negotiation, and although it is not as ambitious as I would have liked, we have stuck to our key principles."
The ministers also made provisions to decentralise decision-making from Brussels, allowing member states more regional control over their own fisheries.
The new laws will set legally binding limits to ensure sustainable fishing levels, with annual quotas underpinned by scientific advice.
"I came here to secure an agreement that would be good for the UK and to head off those who sought to water down the changes we desperately need to make to this broken policy," said Mr Benyon."I came here to secure an agreement that would be good for the UK and to head off those who sought to water down the changes we desperately need to make to this broken policy," said Mr Benyon.
"We have worked hard on these negotiations, and I hope that parliament supports our agreement and brings negotiations to a swift conclusion. The wait is nearly over," he said."We have worked hard on these negotiations, and I hope that parliament supports our agreement and brings negotiations to a swift conclusion. The wait is nearly over," he said.