Delays in UK fishing deal ‘detrimental to Scotland’

Delays in finalising an agreement between the different parts of the UK on fishing is “detrimental” to the industry in Scotland, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has said.

He has written to UK fisheries minister George Eustice about the “prolonged delay” to the UK Concordat on Fisheries Management – a deal which covers how the UK’s fishing quotas are allocated among its four nations.

Mr Ewing said that although Marine Scotland officials had been “frequently prompting” their UK colleagues in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), there had been “no further progress” in getting the terms signed off.

Mr Ewing said: “The failure to progress the revised Concordat is detrimental to the current management of Scotland’s fisheries.

“There is no doubt that preparations for Brexit in less than 12 months’ time will require significant Defra resource but that cannot and must not be at the expense of delivering for the current needs and interests and day-to-day operation of sea fisheries in the UK.”

The Scottish Government wants the revised Concordat to be finalised as soon as possible.

“This prolonged delay is seriously impacting important elements of fisheries management in Scotland, such as the publication of our intentions on quota management reform following our 2014 consultation,” Mr Ewing said.

Picture: PA. Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing is calling for the revised Concordat to be finalised as soon as possible.