The Scottish Parliament has cut a fisheries debate from the agenda to make way for a debate on press ethics which has come as ‘a source of great disappointment’ to the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
The SNP Government has held fisheries debates before the EU Fisheries Council since 1999. The decision to change this comes at a crucial time for the Scottish fishing industry as changes are made to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Fisheries spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrat, Tavish Scott MSP, told World Fishing & Aquaculture: “Scottish fishermen will fail to understand why a debate on the future of the industry has just been dropped rather than rescheduled. With CFP reform ongoing in Europe and boats from Iceland and Faroes illegally fishing in our waters, we need a united Scottish voice. Cancelling the debate in the Scottish Parliament is a missed opportunity.”
He added: "There should be cross party agreement on the need for a fairer deal on fish quotas and days that our boats can fish. The Parliament should unite in supporting the pelagic industry against the illegal fishing of Faroe and Iceland.”
