|
THE Scottish National Party said today that one of the country's leading fishing industry organisations, the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF), has thrown its weight behind SNP proposals for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator, which would provide relief for motorists and industry from soaring fuel prices.
The nationalists said today that an SNP amendment to the Finance Bill will be considered by the House of Commons next week, and has already secured the backing of the Road Haulage Association.
And the SNP quotes a letter to SNP Westminster Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, from SFF chief executive, Bertie Armstrong,which said : "Fuel prices at the quayside have increased by 40% since January – perhaps 25% of the industry is now in financial jeopardy. Fishermen do not pay duty on fuel but the industry is unable to pass on increases in anything like real time – fish is sold at auction we are price takers, not price makers. The SNP's fuel duty regulator would provide some relief to hard pressed fishermen and I commend it fully."
Welcoming SFF support, Mr Hosie, said: "I am delighted that the SFF have added their voice to the growing chorus of support for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator.
"Backing for a regulator is mounting outside parliament, and next week we must secure support in parliament."
But today, Mr Armstrong said that the regulator was not a primary interest for the federation and effectively was a by-product for them.
He went on : "I am disappointed by the press release which selectively backs support for one measure which will not make a difference to the primary production of fish and which does not illuminate the main points of our campaign for help."
And in terms of assistance for the catching sector, Mr Armstrong said he felt that First Minister Alex Salmond had the ability to make the choice to help the catching sector with its distinctive interests and special case status. The Scottish Government was, after all, a Government in its own right."It is a Government which can make choices and there are times of constraint when these choices are very difficult. But as well as Westminster, we also look to the Scottish Government for support."
www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
