Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust, FACT, has expressed its disappointment that the Queen’s Speech did not include any reference to the new fisheries legislation promised four years ago.
The Government’s Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review was conducted during 2000/2001 and the Moran Committee, now part of FACT, played a significant role in providing comprehensive information to the Review.
In 2001 Government responded to the Review group’s report by stating: “The Government agrees that there is a need to update primary legislation on salmon and freshwater fisheries, and will bring forward proposals at an appropriate opportunity. It also agrees with the recommended scope of such legislation.”
Following a meeting of all FACT directors today, Jim Glasspool, Chairman, said, “Legislation on fisheries is overdue and it is now many years since the Moran team completed the work they were asked to do on behalf of angling. This Government has been very supportive of angling in the past and we now want that same level of support for our fisheries.
FACT hopes that the Government will instruct DEFRA to draft a bill to implement the changes we all seek, sooner rather than later.
We are looking forward to seeing the revised Animal Welfare Bill and the drafts of the Marine Bill and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill, which will create a single organisation, Natural England, to manage the natural environment.Angling and fisheries organisations have formed FACT, the single body, to be a unified voice for angling, as recommended by the Review. We expect Government to fulfil its promises, too.”
FACT is embarking on a programme of lobbying the Prime Minister’s Office andDefra, asking for the promised fisheries legislation, based on the review, to be seriously considered for the next Parliamentary session.
FISHINGmagic Note
1.The Fisheries & Angling Conservation Trust (FACT) is company limited by guarantee that was formed In January 2005 to protect and promote the interests of angling and recreational fisheries in the UK.
2.FACT encompasses the work undertaken hitherto by the National Angling Alliance (NAA), the Moran Committee, and the Joint Angling Governing Bodies (JAGB). Its subscribing members are:-
-Angling Trades Association (ATA)
-Commercial Coarse Fisheries Association (CCFA)
-National Association of Fisheries & Angling Consultatives (NAFAC)
-National Federation of Anglers (NFA)
-National Federation of Sea Anglers (NFSA)
-Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA)
-Specialist Anglers Alliance (SAA)
-Association of Stillwater Game Fishery Managers (ASGFM)
-Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST)
