Minister to fight 'tooth and nail' for fishermen in EU talks

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 20:26

SCOTTISH fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead has promised to fight "tooth and nail" for the industry ahead of European talks.

In a debate in the Scottish Parliament, he said a "shared vision" would help in the long term.

He said: "We will fight tooth and nail for a good deal for Scotland at these negotiations, but no matter the outcome, the Scottish industry faces stormy waters ahead. We need to work with the industry to develop a sustainable future."

The EU talks will centre on the quota policy which forces fishermen to throw away much of their catch, known as discards.

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack compared last year's "optimism" from the government with the harsher reality of tough negotiations in a recession.

She said: "This year it's pretty clear from the fishing communities they don't want the rhetoric. The fishermen have seen through it, the processors have seen through it, we have seen through it – the party's over."

Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur warned the regulations controlling days at sea worked up over 2008 and agreed by ministers last December were "unworkable".

He added: "The anger felt by Scottish fishermen over that deal has been made worse by what they see as attempts by the Scottish minister to claim it as a success – then take months to admit its inadequacies."

Mr Lochhead must "demonstrate the appetite for a fight", he told MSPs.