Scottish Fishermen's Federation Demands Meeting with UK Prime Minister over Brexit Deal

Strategic Insights -

Scottish fisherman and women expressed outrage and disappointment after the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, signed a Brexit re-set deal allowing EU boats continued access to UK waters until 2038. The new deal, which was hailed as a "biggest act of betrayal to Scottish fishermen," has been met with resistance from the fishing industry, who had been pushing for annual negotiations on fishing rights instead of a fixed 12-year deal.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) has written to the Prime Minister demanding a meeting to discuss the Brexit deal and its impact on the fishing industry.
  • The federation's CEO, Elspeth Macdonald, has accused the Prime Minister of being "insulting and patronising" and of lacking understanding of the 2020 agreement and international fisheries agreements.
  • The existing fishing deal signed by former prime minister Boris Johnson had seen the UK regaining 25% of its fishing quotas, but this deal was due to run out next year.
  • The SFF has expressed disappointment with the deal, citing that stability in terms of access to waters is the worst possible position for the UK.
  • The UK government has stressed that the deal provides stability and protection for the British fishing industry with no increase to the quota that EU fishers are allowed to catch in British waters.
  • The government is also investing £360 million over the next 12 years into the fishing industry.
  • Tim Eagle MSP, the Scottish Conservatives' fishing spokesman, has called on the Prime Minister to meet with the fishing industry to hear their concerns and has accused the Prime Minister of selling out the sector.

Statistics:

  • 25% of fishing quotas regained by the UK under the existing deal
  • £80 million per year worth of UK vessels' continued access to EU waters
  • £360 million total investment by the UK government into the fishing industry over the next 12 years
  • 2038: the year by which EU boats will still have access to UK waters under the new deal
  • 2026: the year by which the EU's access to UK waters was due to be renegotiated under the old deal

Sources:

  • https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/uk-eu-fishing-deal-12-year-agreement-branded-biggest-act-of-betrayal-to-scottish-fishermen-5134678
  • https://news.politics/uk-eu-fishing-deal-12-year-agreement-branded-biggest-act-of-betrayal-to-scottish-fishermen-5134678
  • https://news.politics/eu-uk-reset-deal-what-sir-keir-starmers-deal-means-for-scotland-and-the-uk-5135439