John Whittingdale: UK should run own fish policy

Shadow secretary of state for agriculture, fisheries and food John Whittingdale said the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) had been "a disaster".

The policy had "decimated" the fishing industry and "failed in its objective of preserving fish stocks", he said.

Mr Whittingdale was speaking after a meeting with fishing industry leaders.

'Vital'

Representatives from fishing organisations across the UK attended the meeting on Tuesday, set up by the Conservatives in the Commons.

They included members of large Scottish producers and south western companies to smaller in-shore businesses.

The CFP is imposing harsher and harsher quotas, which is an admission in itself of failure John Whittingdale

Mr Whittingdale said: "The Conservative Party policy is clear that we wish to restore national and local control over British fishing waters and to withdraw from the CFP."

He said that it was "absolutely vital" that fishermen were involved in managing UK fisheries.

"[The CFP] is imposing harsher and harsher quotas, which is an admission in itself of failure," he said.

"It is also penalising particularly British fishermen while at the same time they have to watch foreign boats coming in and taking the fish."