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SCOTLAND TO PUSH FOR MORE INVOLVEMENT IN EUROPEAN CAP AND CFP NEGOTIATIONS.
Scottish Ministers should be the lead voice across a range of issues in European fisheries negotiations Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has said.
Speaking in a Scottish Parliament debate yesterday, Wednesday, Mr Lochhead said that in both Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Scotland should have closer involvement in all aspects of negotiations, but in fisheries in particular, given the vast majority of UK landings are made in Scotland, Scottish Ministers should be the lead voice on behalf of the UK across a range of issues where Scottish interests are predominant.
Mr Lochhead said: “The future of Scotland's fisheries and farmers will be decided at the forthcoming European negotiations on the new agricultural and fisheries policies. Scotland has distinct messages in each of these two key areas and our voice must be heard.
“We can’t rely on the UK to deliver for Scotland. The UK Coalition Government wants to cut the overall CAP budget and phase out direct payments. That is not good news for Scotland and would severely disadvantage our farmers. The bottom line is that Scotland farmers are not safe in UK hands – we must therefore continue to press for closer Scottish involvement in all aspects of negotiations.
“And the story on fisheries is the same. Our key priority is to return greater responsibility for fisheries management to Scotland from Brussels. Scotland needs to be able to protect its historic fishing rights. Unrestricted international quota trading will lead to our national resource being sold to other countries. That would sound the death-knell for our traditional fishing communities.
“So it is absolutely vital that Scotland has a strong voice in Europe on CAP and CFP negotiations and that is why we are requesting to meet UK counterparts to agree a greater role for Scotland in European negotiations. This includes as a minimum Scottish Ministers not only attending, but crucially, participating in European Council of Ministers meetings. But with the vast majorities of UK landings made in Scotland it is my strong and unwavering belief that Scottish Ministers should be the lead voice across a range of issues in European fisheries negotiations on behalf of the UK. Only then will Scotland’s fishing industry be a priority.”
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