Today'as Westminster Forum Conference in London.
Next steps for UK fisheries - trade, sustainability and policy
The focus:
The future for the UK’s fisheries post-Brexit - looking at priorities for policymakers, and key issues around trade and sustainability.
Key discussion points:
- The future for UK fisheries policy and the anticipated Fisheries Bill;
- Priorities for trade, tariffs and quotas for the industry;
- Next steps for developing the necessary institutions and decision-making structures as the UK leaves the EU;
- Sustainability and environmental priorities for domestic fisheries management going forward; and
- Key challenges for improving skills across the sector and supporting different interests across the fishing sectors and communities of the UK involved in fishing.
Context:
The announcement that the UK will remain in the Commons Fisheries Policy during the transition period until December 2020;
The Government’s publication of the analysis on returning EU powers, which included fisheries management and support as part of the 24 policy areas that are expected to be temporarily retained by Westminster;
Government targets from the 25 Year Environment Plan to achieve ‘good’ environmental status whilst allowing marine industries to prosper;
The UK’s planned withdrawal from the London Fisheries Convention;
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry into how fisheries and seafood trading arrangements between the UK and the EU will affect the fishing industry and others;
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry into the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland’s fishing industry; and
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs consultation for the proposed Marine Plan for Northern Ireland.
Guest of Honour
Nigel Gooding
Deputy Director, EU and International Fisheries, Defra
Keynote Speakers
Shanker Singham
Director, International Trade and Competition Unit, Institute of Economic Affairs
Andrew Kuyk
Director General, Provision Trade Federation and Leader, UK Seafood Industry Alliance
David Mundy
Partner and Parliamentary Agent, Bircham Dyson Bell
Bertie Armstrong
Chief Executive, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
Simen Svenheim
Counsellor for Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Royal Norwegian Embassy in London
Chairs
David Duguid MP
Vice-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Fisheries Group
Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP
Vice-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Fisheries Group and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Northern Ireland
Speakers
Mike Park
Chief Executive, The Scottish White Fish Producers Association
Mike Hardy
Chief Executive, Northumberland Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority
Dr Bryce Stewart
Lecturer, University of York
Helen McLachlan
Fisheries Governance Programme Manager, WWF-UK
Barrie Deas
Chief Executive, National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations