Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK-Faroese Fishing Grounds

Thursday 28 April 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions focused on Russian fishing vessels in shared UK-Faroese fishing grounds.
  • The UK urged Faroese authorities to halt Russian vessels' fishing activities in the special area.
  • The Faroese Prime Minister committed to reviewing the arrangement when it expires at the end of the year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Russian fishing vessels are operating under a Faroese license in the special area, raising concerns about jurisdiction and policy alignment.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with his Faroese counterpart on access for Russian fishing vessels to shared UK-Faroese fishing grounds?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

We do not have jurisdiction over the fishing activities of vessels operating in the special area under a licence issued by the Faroes. However, we have urged the Faroese Fisheries Minister, Foreign Minister and Prime Minister to stop Russian vessels fishing there.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on recent discussions with Faroese counterpart and concrete actions taken

How: We Do Not Have Jurisdiction

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The questioner had an opportunity to discuss this issue with the Faroese Prime Minister, who agreed to reconsider the arrangement when it expires at the end of the year.

Question

As it happens, I had my own opportunity to make exactly these representations to the Faroese Prime Minister yesterday and I am sure that, like the Minister, I was able to welcome the undertaking that the Faroese will look at not continuing this arrangement when it expires at the end of the year. However, does she agree that, as I said to the Faroese Prime Minister yesterday, the war in Ukraine is happening in the here and now and, while the Faroese have a good and profitable record of playing both sides against the middle, this is one occasion where they really need to pick a side?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

I could not agree more, and I hear that that was very much the tone of the useful meeting the all-party group on fisheries had with the Faroese Prime Minister yesterday. I assure the right hon. Gentleman that Government Ministers have also made that message loud and clear at all levels.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete actions or commitments to ensure a side is picked by the Faroe Islands in light of Russia's involvement in Ukraine

How: I Could Not Agree More, Useful Meeting

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email