MSP blast First Minister for fishing industry ‘sabotage’ over desire to rejoin EU
A Buckie-based MSP has accused the First Minister of trying to sabotage the Scottish fishing industry by wanting to return to the EU.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Secretary for Rural Affairs and Fishing and Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle MSP warned the future of the country’s fishing fleet was under threat following John Swinney’s comments to a business audience in Glasgow.
The Tory MSP said the SNP’s desire to rejoin the Common Fisheries Policy by working alongside the UK government’s willingness to grant access to Scottish waters was “reckless”.
Brussels is expected to insist on an early deal on fishing before it will consider deeper co-operation.
During his speech, Mr Swinney said “the EU is the answer”, stating it was his mission to rejoin.
In response, Mr Eagle said: “John Swinney’s speech…will fill Scottish fishermen with dread.
“Just like Labour, he is willing to put Scotland’s fishing and processing sectors on the table in return for a seat in the EU.
“Catching opportunities and landings at ports such as Peterhead since the UK left the CFP are at an all-time high and negotiated quota shares as an independent coastal state have substantially increased.
“Yet the SNP would gladly sacrifice this by sabotaging our fishing sector and caving in to EU demands for guaranteed access to Scottish waters.
“The First Minister clearly holds little regard for the risks fishermen go through to put world-renowned produce on our plates.
“We must continue to champion the fishing industry, not harm it by threatening our domestic food security.”
In his speech, John Swinney said: “For our security in an ever more uncertain world, the EU is the answer.”
He added: “I believe our future lies within the European Union and that rejoining the EU should be our clearly stated goal and national mission.”
