Letter: Misleading to call for Iceland fish ban

The week started with Scottish MEP Struan Stevenson calling for an immediate EU-wide blockade of Icelandic and Faroese ships and goods because he said "Iceland and the Faroes are acting just like their Viking ancestors, only this time it's our mackerel they're plundering".

The Conservative politician acted like a bully all week asking the EU to intervene in order to stop our Nordic neighbours to stop fishing in their own waters, one would have to explain to Stevenson that the fish swimming in Icelandic and Faroese waters are not ours but Icelandic and Faroese fish.

The most shocking revelation of all for me, as someone who worked in the Scottish fishing industry for the past 20 years, was to hear that Stevenson, the vice-president of the European Parliament Fisheries Committee, does not understand the consequences of calling for a mackerel war with our neighbours. Without landings from Iceland and the Faroes, what is left of the English fishing industry would be destroyed and in Scotland fish processors would have to close down or to reduce their workforce considerably.

Stevenson's ignorance might come from the fact that the Conservative politician is spending too much time in Brussels but there is no excuse for calling for a EU blockade that can't be implemented by law because of the trade agreement Iceland and the Faroes have with Europe. Therefore the question in your poll ought to be: "Did Struan Stevenson mislead everyone when he called for a EU ban on imports from Iceland and the Faroes?"

Christian Allard, Westhill

Include full address and daytime telephone number

Should there be a referendum on independence within a year?

n This week's online poll question is: Are you looking forward to the World Cup? Vote at www.scotlandonsunday.com

Sports writer Moira Gordon will host an online debate on Wednesday at 1pm about the previous night's Scotland v Liechtenstein Euro qualifier

www.scotlandonsunday.com

1 Lib Dems deliver blow to SNP referendum bid Divide between two parties grows

2 Against the Pope's visit? Just 5% say yes Survey shows support for Septmber papal tour

3 Interview: Saulius Mikoliunas Lithuanian former Hearts midfielder speaks

4 Revealed: the most expensive student digs Edinburgh undergraduates face biggest bills

5 Rangers 2, St Johnstone 1

Kenny Miller scores 50th goal for Ibrox side

6 SNP council tax freeze under threat Ministers facing tough financial decisions

7 ‘Government money for the Old Firm? Is Bain kidding us on?'

Columnist Tom English pulls no punches

8 Starfleet beam up Mr Salmond as honorary Trekkie First Minister's sci-fi honour

9 Crash fears as laser louts dazzle pilots

Passengers at risk from blinding menace

10 Hibs make their stand

Columnist Aidan Smith on the new Easter Road

The answer is a massive hit! Apart from signing-on days me and my family never miss a day of the best Festival in the world. We've never missed a single year since 1952. In my home town, culture is something that is found on stale bread.

Erric, Shettleston

I come up from London every year with my family to attend the Edinburgh Fringe Festival but this year it seemed to lack a little of the sparkle from previous years. The Cavalcade was good in Holyrood Park, but the absence of the traditional Fringe Sunday was a shame. The organisers really need to try harder to get a sponsor next year. Peter Buckley-Hill's free fringe was a real creative hit, and perfect for these recessionary times. The blowhards at the overpriced Gilded Balloon should take note.

Mark Mackenzie, London

The 10 most read stories last week

on scotlandonsunday.com

Was this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival a hit or a miss?

n You can also join our Online Forum at www.scotlandonsunday.com from Friday lunchtime