London driving Scottish fisheries policy

Shadow Fisheries Minister Mr Richard Lochhead MSP has today (Saturday) accused the UK Government in London of continuing to drive Scotland's fisheries policy even though it is a devolved issue under the Scotland Act.

Mr Lochhead made his accusation following the publication of the Downing Street Strategy Unit's report calling for further cuts to Scotland's beleaguered fleet. UK Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw confirmed on television that his department in London would be co-ordinating the implementation group that is expected to take forward the report's recommendation. Commenting Mr Lochhead said:

"Five years into Scottish devolution and it has never been more clear that London remains in the driving seat in terms of fishing policy.

"Not once has the Scottish Executive deviated from the UK line on fishing policy. Yet, two thirds of the UK's fishing industry is based in Scotland and the industry is ten times more important to Scotland than to the UK as a whole.

"Given the recommendation to cut the fleet by 13 percent and tie-up another 30 percent for four years without compensation, the report from Tony Blair's think tank amounts to a death threat to the Scots fleet. This despite it being very clear that UK Ministers do not have a clue about the Scottish industry as highlighted by the number of errors in the report.

"Scottish stocks are recovering with some at record levels and the white fish fleet has already been cut in half by Scottish Ministers acting on London's orders.

"The future of our fishing communities depends on the fishing policy including European negotiations being removed from London's control and UK Ministers must be ordered by Scottish Ministers to get their hands off Scotland's fishing policy."