The Scottish National Party was always demand for an amendment to restore responsibility for fisheries and marine conservation. But the call to take control of fisheries away from the European Union was rejected by 285 to 175 at Westminster and the anger shown on MPs faces.
Commenting on that Moray MP Angus Robertson said the rejection might outrages the fishing communities but the Opposition claimed the SNP was using fishing as a political tool. On the other hand Robertson, an SNP MSP, accused Labour of failing to stand up for one of the country’s “oldest and greatest industries”.
It is clear that the political parties are using fishing industry as a tool to gain mileage. It is true that the fishing industry needs strong support from the national government. Reacting on this Robertson told that the countries like Norway and Iceland effectively managing their own fisheries outside European Union control. Therefore, the demand of Scotland’s own fishing industry management is correct, says Robertson.
According to Foreign Office Europe Minister Jim Murphy the need for improvement is necessary for Scotland’s fishing industry. But the Lisbon Treaty that had been debated gave greater clarity on what the EU could and could not do, informed Murphy. Mike Rumbles MSP, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, said that the EU Treaty proposed no changes to competence over fisheries. He also said that the marine conservation has always been an exclusive competence of the European Union.
