Scottish Fishermen's Federation takes priorities to Westminster

Last week was a busy one for Scottish fishing industry leaders, who met with Scottish first minister John Swinney at a roundtable hosted by Peterhead Port Authority, and then headed to Westminster to meet new UK fisheries minister Daniel Zeichner, as well as Ian Murray, the new secretary of state for Scotland, and a number of coastal MPs.

SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said a determination to achieve a more constructive relationship between the industry and government was evident over the two days of meetings, which the SFF welcomed. “We know that officials work well together in many ways, including around fisheries negotiations, but it will take willingness on both sides to make things better at a political level.”

Ian Gatt of the SPFA, Elspeth Macdonald and Hannah Fennell of the SFF and Mike Park of the SWFPA ahead of their meeting at Westminster.

Two successive days of ‘constructive’ discussions with MPs heard ministers from both sides of the border commit to further support for the industry.

SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said: “SFF and some of our constituent associations took part in a seafood sector roundtable meeting with Scotland’s first minister John Swinney on 22 July, hosted by Peterhead Port Authority. This followed a similar visit during the general election campaign, so it was encouraging that he was keen to return so quickly to the North East, where there was a strong turnout of representatives from both catching and processing sectors.

“There was a wide-ranging discussion about the factors that influence business confidence int he industry, and the importance of striking the right balance between nature conservation and sustainable harvesting of food from Scotland’s seas.”

The roundtable also touched on a wide range of issues affecting the sector, from solutions to the shortage of workers through to spatial squeeze. The meeting followed a market tour by John Swinney, and a sail around the harbour.

Peterhead Port Authority hosted a roundtable meeting attended by first minister John Swinney and a range of representatives from the catching and processing sectors.

The visit to Westminster by SFF president Hannah Fennell, Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association chief executive Ian Gatt and Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association chief executive Mike Park as well as Elspeth Macdonald, was also encouraging, she said.

“Daniel Zeichner was keen to stress the importance of fishing as part of the UK’s food production and therefore food security – indeed his new job title is minister for food security and rural affairs. We had a very positive introductory meeting highlighting issues around the end of the TCA adjustment period in 2026 and the importance of the UK’s regulatory autonomy from the CFP after Brexit.

“The prime minister has been clear about wanting the UK to have a closer relationship with the EU, but this mustn’t be to the detriment of what few benefits for fishing were secured as part of the exit negotiations.

“Westminster will rise soon for summer recess, but SFF will be back in Westminster in the autumn to make sure that fishing’s voice continues to be heard loudly and clearly in the corridors of power in London as well as in Holyrood.”

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 £3.30 here.

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