Another year, another botched up decision by the EU fisheries ministers. Early this morning they agreed to increase next year's quota on cod fishing in the North Sea by 11 per cent.
They've been ignoring the science for the last seven years, why should this year be any different? The EU's own scientists have said that the stocks are in such trouble that the quota must be reduced, but we knew these bureaucrats couldn't be trusted to make the right decision - that's why we attempted to shut them out of the meeting on Monday.
Almost 200 volunteers blocked all entrances to the EU Council building in Brussels just as the EU fisheries ministers were due to arrive to set next year's fishing quotas.
What they don't seem to understand (oh why can't the human race learn from our past mistakes?) is that instead of helping the fishermen, they are going to be fishing themselves out of a job because these catch levels could see an end to North sea cod.
They should be sacked and the cod quota decision taken out of their hands if there is going to be any real chance of recovery for Europe's fish stocks.
