European Parliament votes to ban electrocution of fish

Mrs Girling, MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, linked with colleagues in the Parliament’s Green, Liberal, Left and Socialist groups in a vote to end the destructive practice, which is blamed for creating deserts on the sea bed wherever it is used.

The technique kills fish and other marine life indiscriminately with a powerful electric shock.

Mrs Girling said: “I am delighted that a majority of MEPs has sided with us to call time on this horrible practice. It is a disgrace that it has gone on for so long.”

The proposed ban will now be discussed in “trilogue” negotiations between the Parliament and the EU Commission and Council” with the intention of bringing it into EU Law as soon as possible”