Benyon backs Scots fishermen

Published on 18/12/2012 00:00

RICHARD Benyon, the UK fisheries minister, has pledged to fight plans for “days at sea” cuts which it is claimed could devastate the Scottish fleet.

Scottish fishermen are facing a 20 per cent cut in their cod catch quota and a further 25 per cent reduction in the number of days they can fish under controversial proposals tabled by Brussels.

The country’s fisheries leaders have also sounded a warning that the already beleaguered industry could become caught in the crossfire of a political battle between the European Parliament and fisheries ministers over who should take the lead in the crucial decisions.