Following on from Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon’s heavy criticism of UK Government’s funding share for Scotland under the newly announced £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, Gougeon has written to the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle, calling for Westminster to reconsider its approach to funding allocations as it’s “not a fair settlement for Scotland”.
Under the new UK-wide scheme, which is designed to replace post-Brexit EU funding mechanisms such as the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), Scotland is set to receive £28 million, amounting to just 7.78% of the total budget, despite accounting for nearly half of the UK’s fishing industry by volume and value.
Highlighting that the Scottish fishing sector accounts for over 60% of the UK’s fishing capacity and over 60% of UK seafood exports, while more than 75% of all UK quota species is landed by Scottish vessels, Gougeon wrote, “The deal that you have presented on the share of this funding to Scotland is wholly unacceptable.”
She pointed out that for several months at both ministerial and official levels, Scottish Government has set out a “clear, rational, and evidence-based case” for its share of this funding to be representative of the relative size and importance of the sector, and reflect at least the 46% share Scotland previously received from the EU funding allocated to the UK.
“Instead, the announced allocation of just 7.78% is a grossly oversimplified approach which does not represent a fair settlement for Scotland, a position supported by key Scottish stakeholders.
“It is unjustified and nothing short of insulting to the Scottish fishing industry and our coastal communities. It also disproportionately benefits your own fishing sector in England – for whom you have retained over £300 million, despite landing significantly smaller catches than Scotland.”
With the funding being spread over 12 years – and no guarantee that the commitment will even be maintained following this parliamentary term – the deal means Scotland will have just £2.3 million per annum of additional funding to invest in its marine industries and coastal communities, Gougeon wrote. “This is nowhere near enough to support the next generation of fishermen and breathe new life into our coastal communities as your letter sets out.”
The letter also reveals that the UK Government’s announcement of the new fund was made within hours Eagle writing to Gougeon and her counterparts in the devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland, with no opportunity for discussion.
This, she said, also demonstrates a “disappointing departure” from the UK Government’s commitment to resetting and renewing the devolution relationship and effective intergovernmental working.
“This comes on the back of a similar lack of engagement on the EU deal in relation to fisheries, which will hit the Scottish sector hard. At the same time we are still assessing the likely implications of the scientific advice on mackerel and cod – which are expected to have serious negative impacts for the fishing industry in Scotland.”
Gougeon’s letter concludes: “I strongly urge you to reconsider this approach and enter into discussions at the earliest possible opportunity with myself, and our colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland, to agree an alternative approach which treats each of our respective industries and communities with the respect they deserve.”
