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Europe must not squander this opportunity to reform the ‘disastrous’ Common Fisheries Policy and ensure the industry can look forward to a prosperous future, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead has said.
Speaking in advance of a Scottish Parliament debate on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Mr Lochhead dished up a warning that the future of Scotland’s fishing industry was dependent on successful CFP reform.
The European Commission’s plans for reform, outlined earlier this year, are currently being debated and Mr Lochhead stressed that it was crucial that the reforms delivered results.
Among the changes the Scottish Government wants to see implemented are:
* An end to micro-management - to move decision making from Brussels to Member States
* Better regionalisation - to move away from a one-size-fits-all policy
* Tackling discards - to prevent valuable fish being thrown back to sea
Mr Lochhead said: "The European Union is currently drinking in the last chance saloon. We cannot afford to squander this opportunity to find a workable, sustainable solution which delivers the tailored results that our fishermen need.
“The Common Fisheries Policy has been a horror story since the day it was conceived. This disastrous policy has seen fish stocks wasted, jobs lost and communities decimated.
“That’s why it’s absolutely crucial that this broken policy is reformed now - our fishermen deserve nothing less. The CFP is fatally flawed and must be fixed, and fixed urgently. Now is not the time for warm words - it is the time for action.
“We have a long and proud history as a fishing nation. Our task now is to ensure that we also have a flourishing future and we do not allow Brussels bureaucrats to continue to rule remotely.
“Here in Scotland, we have already made strenuous efforts - with industry and government working in partnership - to address the challenges posed by quotas and stock shortages. We will continue this work which is why the budget for fisheries science research was protected in yesterday’s budget.
“Most Scots would agree, I’m sure, that full responsibility for fisheries should be returned to Scotland. It is the only way to ensure that we are not - once again - left dealing with clumsy one-size-fits-all policies that are totally inadequate for the mixed North Sea fishery.
“Today we also heard the good news that Sainsbury’s customers will be able to buy langoustines from pristine west coast waters.”
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