Viewpoints from across the political spectrum. This week: the Buckie-based Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and fishing
The implications of the new UK-EU fisheries deal continue to dominate the agenda in our fishing communities – and rightly so. At a recent session of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, I didn’t hold back in highlighting the devastating impact of Labour’s decision to give the EU access to our waters all the way until 2038.
It’s an unacceptable move, and the public agree. They’ve made it clear they want the UK to maintain full control over our waters, not cave in to Brussels’ demands.
During that committee meeting, we also held a roundtable with key voices from across the fishing industry. Leaders from both the catching and processing sectors laid out stark warnings about what this deal could mean for the future.
For those in the catching sector, the 12-year deal has huge, long-term implications, undermining sovereignty and control over quotas. On the other hand, the processing sector pointed out that while there may be some potential benefits in terms of easier EU market access, the message was clear: there’s still a long road ahead, and a lot of detail that needs to be carefully scrutinised.
Labour’s Scottish secretary Ian Murray still insists this deal offers ‘12 years of certainty and stability’, a claim that many find deeply frustrating. What this deal actually offers is 12 years of uncertainty for our fishermen and coastal communities.
We should also not forget that John Swinney and the SNP would offer nothing more. Swinney keeps saying ‘the EU is the answer’, and makes no secret of his desire to take Scotland right back into the Common Fisheries Policy – a policy our fishermen have fought long and hard to escape.
The truth is neither Labour nor the SNP are standing up for Scotland’s fishing sector. I have worked hard in my role as shadow rural secretary to ensure the Scottish Conservatives are pushing for what’s truly needed – annual negotiations and a fairer quota share for UK fishermen. That’s the deal our industry deserves – it always was.
We must keep raising the concerns over this deal, but our attention must also turn to what is currently happening in our waters. I am in touch with many fishermen who are deeply concerned that some foreign boats are ignoring licence conditions such as the economic link. I am doing what I can to raise questions on this.
Over the summer recess, I’ll be travelling to coastal communities across the country to meet directly with fishermen and processors, listening to their concerns, not just about the UK-EU deal, but also about labour shortages, regulatory issues, checks and the use of gill-nets. I care deeply about this sector, and I’ll continue to push for a dedicated fishing debate in the Scottish Parliament so these vital issues get the attention they deserve.
To everyone working in the industry, my message is simple: I’ve got your back. I will hold both of Scotland’s governments to account and fight to make sure fishing remains at the heart of our economy and our coastal way of life.
By Tim Eagle MSP
This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.50 here.
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