Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
7th Report – Resetting the relationship with fishing communities
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 680
Published 24 April 2026
Government response
2nd Special Report - Resetting the relationship with fishing communities: Government Response · published 23 Jul 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
4
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Priority should be given to projects driven by active fishing communities during the Fund’s 12...
Recommendation
Priority should be given to projects driven by active fishing communities during the Fund’s 12 years of operation. This principle should be embedded in any expanded delivery model or in any new scheme developed, with 26 clear and measurable criteria …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states the Fund will support a modern fishing sector and coastal communities, using measurable criteria. It confirms that opportunities for fleet modernisation to reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency are already included in the existing FaSS scheme, but does not explicitly commit to place-based advisory services.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
View Details →
9
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Industry engagement should continue at a consistent level in the development of the Fund from...
Recommendation
Industry engagement should continue at a consistent level in the development of the Fund from year two onwards and be expanded to include additional fisheries groups and representatives from Cornwall. In response to this report, the government should set out …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states it is continuing engagement with industry and developing future plans for the Fund, including establishing broader spending options. However, it cannot specify the proportion of funds allocated geographically due to the applicant-led nature of the scheme, and does not set out the intended delivery model.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
View Details →
14
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Defra should require all officials working on fisheries policy, funding schemes and regulatory design to...
Recommendation
Defra should require all officials working on fisheries policy, funding schemes and regulatory design to undertake regular, in-person engagement at ports and with those operating active fishing vessels. This programme should mirror the department’s existing initiative 28 to place civil …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of staff understanding the fisheries sector, noting that officials already routinely visit ports and are encouraged to undertake MMO-led training and coastal visits. Defra commits to continuing to embed these principles and invest in face-to-face engagement, but does not explicitly commit to a formal requirement mirroring the department's farms initiative.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
View Details →
18
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
In response to this report, Defra should provide the Committee with a clear written account...
Recommendation
In response to this report, Defra should provide the Committee with a clear written account of its engagement with the fishing industry following the release of the December 2025 UK–EU fisheries written record. This should set out the dates and …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government describes past engagement with industry, including meetings and newsletters, but does not provide the specific "clear written account" requested by the committee, including dates and explicit communication on flexibility. It commits to building on this approach for future technical measures in the Channel and Irish Sea, ensuring clear communication as implementation timelines are confirmed.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
View Details →