
Neil spoke in the Fisheries Bill upon the return of MPs to Parliament following the summer recess.
In the Second Reading of the Bill in the Commons, Neil spoke about the need to create a more flexible system for the whole of the UK, similar to that of Norway, where areas can be shut down quickly if overfishing is taking place. Neil also called for the UK Government to play hard-ball in negotiations with the EU on fisheries, but to remember the significant amount of exported fish to the European continent from UK fishing businesses. Neil also reminded the House of the fact that we import around 70% of the fish we eat in the UK, whilst exporting around the same amount of catch.
Since Neil's speech, the UK has signed a mutual access deal with Norway, the first as an Independent Coastal State.
You can find Neil's speech on Hansard here.