Davis pressed over future of fishing industry

SNP MP hits out at suggestion of replicating EU rules on fishermen

UK fishermen must not be subjected to “business as usual” post-Brexit, an SNP MP has said as she suggested the Government may look to simply “replicate” current EU rules.

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was a popular topic for discussion during the run-up to the EU referendum and critics argue it has caused significant harm to the UK fishing industry.

But Eilidh Whiteford, the MP for Banff and Buchan, said the Government appeared to be considering keeping the existing rules contained within the CFP when the UK left the bloc.

Speaking during a statement on how the Government intended to convert EU law into British law, she said: “The Government’s already signalled its intention to withdraw from the Common Fisheries Policy.

“However, chapter four, paragraphs 2.4 of this white paper seem to suggest not just that the EU powers on issues such as fisheries will revert to the UK Government rather than the devolved institutions, but that the Government quote ‘intends to replicate the current frameworks provided by EU rules through UK legislation’.

“Is the Government seriously suggesting that we will have business as usual for the fishing industry under a CFP framework after Brexit, and if not will you enlighten us to the Government’s plans?”

Brexit Secretary David Davis replied: “Some of this, what you call business as usual, will be temporary, some of it will be permanent.

“That will depend entirely on the criteria I laid down earlier.”

Picture: PA. Brexit Secretary David Davis makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons yesterday.

SNP MP Eilidh Whiteford said it should not be “business as usual”.