Backlash on fishing but businesses are buoyant

Compromise at Brexit talks leaves seafarers ‘frustrated and angry’

BUSINESS leaders yesterday hailed the Brexit deal as ‘good news’ for Scotland’s battered economy – but fishermen say it is ‘hugely disappointing’.

The Federation of Small Businesses said the 11th-hour agreement, just a week before the end of the transition period, would be welcomed by firms.

But a row is brewing over whether it delivers on the promise that Brexit will be a ‘sea of opportunity’ for the fishing industry and allow Britain to take back control of its waters.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon conceded that securing a trade agreement with the European Union was ‘ better than no deal’ but described it as a ‘hard Brexit’ and accused Boris Johnson of breaking promises made to fishermen.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said the deal would allow the country to ‘move on from past divisions’ and focus on the coronavirus recovery.

Andrew McRae, Scotland policy chair

‘Focus entirely on working together’

man for the Federation of Small Businesses, said it was difficult to forecast the overall impact on smaller firms north of the Border until details became clear.

He added: ‘ The end of the transition period will still result in a major change in trading conditions for many firms. Given that Scotland’s smaller firms have faced down an oppressive year, we need to see the UK Government help smaller operators with depleted case reserves adapt.

‘That’s why we need to see a transition voucher scheme, as well as additional publicly funded support, rolled out as soon as possible.’

Fishing leaders are also waiting for full details of the deal and its likely impact.

At his press conference on Christmas Eve, the Prime Minister conceded that he had to compromise on ‘complete control over our fisheries from the get-go’. He said the European Union had wanted a fishing transition period of 14 years, while the UK wanted three, before a ‘reasonable’ compromise of five-and-a-half years.

UK fishermen will still gain a 25 per cent greater share of access to UK waters over the course of the five-and-a-half year transition period – worth £146million.

Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: ‘It is very difficult to make a detailed assessment of the impact on our industry. However, the principles that the Government said it supported – control over access, quota shares based on zonal attachment, annual negotiations – do not appear to be central to the agreement.’

Tavish Scott, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation said there was relief that a no-deal Brexit had been avoided but concern about the current disruption at the Channel and the prospect of more ‘red tape, bureaucracy and paperwork’.

The salmon industry also fears the new Brexit requirement for tens of thousands of Export Health Certificates (EHCs) from 1st January will add at least £1.3million to costs every year.

Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said there would be ‘frustration and anger’ across the industry.

The deal was welcomed by farming leaders but concerns were raised about the seed potato sector, which will not be able to trade with the EU. Farmers’ union NFU Scotland said ‘fresh negotiations’ should take place on the issue.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross yesterday said that the deal delivers for Scotland and the whole UK.

He said: ‘It is vital that we now move on from past divisions and f ocus entirely on working together to fight coronavirus and rebuild Scotland’s economy.’

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said the agreement would ensure fishermen will ‘flourish outside of the EU’s unfair Common Fisheries Policy’.

However, Miss Sturgeon said in a statement that it ‘ beggars belief ’ that Scotland has been ‘forced out’ of the EU single market and customs union in the midst of a pandemic.

She said: ‘A deal is better than no deal. But, just because, at the 11th hour, the UK Government has decided to abandon the idea of a no-deal outcome, it should not distract from the fact that they have chosen a hard Brexit, stripping away so many of the benefits of EU membership.

‘And while we do not yet have full details on the nature of the deal, it appears major promises made by the UK Government on fisheries have been broken and the extent of these broken promises will become apparent to all very soon.’ She added: ‘This is a far harder Brexit than could have been imagined when the EU referendum took place, damaging and disrupting this nation’s economy and society at the worst possible time.’

SNP constitution Secretary Michael Russell said: ‘Throughout this entire Brexit process the Scottish Government has sought to engage constructively with the UK Government on preparedness and we will continue, as we always have done, t o advocate f or t he interests of Scottish businesses and of Scottish people whenever possible.

‘But we simply cannot avert every negative outcome.’