Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy statement

Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said fisheries negotiations in Luxembourg had reached an agreement for the "most significant reforms in the history of the Common Fisheries Policy", during a ministerial statement on 14 June 2012.

Mr Lohhead said: "I firmly believe that we have an agreement that lays the foundations for the most significant reforms in the history of the CFP, even if a lot of work and negotiation lies ahead before the new policy becomes law."

The Scottish government had said it was pleased with the progress been made on the issue of fish discards.

The proposals include ending the policy of discarding dead fish caught by accident under the quota system.

A date to end the policy has not yet been finalised, but any change must be agreed by the European Parliament and the European Commission.

During their long discussions, ministers also agreed that regions of the EU should be given more control over fisheries policy.

Mr Lochhead said: This is a big step forward towards meeting the aspirations of our fishing communities in Scotland".

"There is still much to do but this agreement is a good and important start for Scotland."