A change to the UK Government’s Fisheries Bill making it a legal obligation for ministers to pursue a better share of fishing rights has been welcomed by Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell, describing the development as ‘great news.’
Speaking in advance of a visit to Peterhead fish market today, he announced that the UK Government will table an amendment to the legislation which will enshrine its commitment to secure a fairer share of fishing opportunities for UK fishermen.
The move is seen as strengthening the Fisheries Bill to ensure the entire UK fishing industry benefits with the transition to an independent coastal state.
The amendment would place a legal obligation on Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to pursue a fairer share of fishing opportunities than the UK currently receives under the CFP.
‘It is absolutely essential Brexit delivers for Scottish fishermen and for those in the rest of the UK. It is clear they want to leave the Common Fisheries Policy and do not want any future deal with the EU to link access to our fishing grounds to our access to European markets,’ David Mundell said.
‘This change to the Fisheries Bill creates a watertight commitment to getting the best possible deal for Scotland’s fishermen and their communities and should give them a great deal of confidence about the future.’
The Scottish Secretary also announced £37.20 million of extra funding to boost the UK fishing industry during the Implementation Period. Scotland’s share of this funding would be £16.40 million.
‘The extra funding announced today will also help support our fishermen over the implementation period. These announcements are great news for Scotland and will help the sector as it gets ready to take full advantage of the many benefits leaving the EU will have for our fishermen,’ David Mundell commented.
This funding is in addition to the existing EMFF funding, which at €243 million over seven years is broadly equivalent to £32 million a year. The Government and Devolved Administrations have already committed to match the EMFF funding with around £60 million.
Michael Gove has also confirmed that the Government will put in place new, domestic, long-term arrangements to support the UK’s fishing industry from 2021, through the creation of four new schemes comparable to EMFF to deliver funding for each nation. The Devolved Administrations will lead on their own schemes.
‘The SFF welcomes the strengthening of the Fisheries Bill and the commitment of extra resources for the sector to aid the UK’s transition to an independent coastal state and beyond,’ said SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong during David Mundell’s visit to Peterhead fish market.
‘Particularly pleasing is the rejection of French suggestion that existing shares of fish be maintained post-Brexit and the establishment instead of a platform for annual negotiations to move towards much fairer shares,’ he said, commenting that the industry remains adamant that there must be no link between access to UK waters and trade with the EU.
‘We look forward to contributing to UK and Scottish government consultations on allocation of the additional funding both for transition and after Brexit to help manage expansion of the sector.’
