David Drew (Lab/Co-op, Stroud) brought forward a ten minute rule Bill requiring public bodies to purchase only those seafood species and stocks that are demonstrably sustainable; and for connected purposes.
Drew was please at recent progress in this area, concerning departmental procurement and regulations on tuna fishing.
"No one can be in any doubt that the way in which we catch and consume fish on a global scale is of great importance given that it is devastating the biodiversity of our oceans and endangering some of our best loved fish species."
He said that fish stocks need careful management, and that the outlook was ppor with most stocks depleted and over-sourced.
In British waters he said we face "an urgent problem".
He explained that the Bill would aim to achieve three important things.
First, it would ensure that the Government spend public money on fish in a responsible way that acts to solve environmental problems rather than causing them. Secondly, it would ensure the public sector lead by example and generate awareness. Thirdly, the purchasing power of the government would lead the market in the right direction.
Question put and agreed to.
Ordered,
That Mr. David Drew, Peter Bottomley, Andrew Stunell, Annette Brooke, Mark Durkan, Mr. Andrew Dismore and Alan Simpson present the Bill.
Mr. David Drew accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 5 March and to be printed (Bill 72).
Progress
House of Commons
1st reading: 24 February 2010
The 2009-10 session of parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
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