Scotland 'cut out' of fishing negotiations amidst 'dodgy Brexit deal' warning

Scottish fishing experts were denied the opportunity to engage in crucial Brexit negotiations on fishing despite multiple requests from the Scottish Government, a minister has claimed.

Fergus Ewing has warned of the potential of a 'dodgy deal' for Scotland in the Brexit negotiations.

Fergus Ewing, the Cabinet secretary for rural economy and tourism, repeated claims that Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove failed to answer a request from the Scottish Government to include experts in discussions.

He warned this was an “opportunity missed” and could lead to a “shady deal” being agreed between the UK and the EU which could negatively impact Scottish fishing.

Reports suggest fishing quotas and rules post-Brexit are the main stumbling blocks to the UK Government agreeing a deal with Brussels as the end of the transition period on January 1 fast approaches.

Mr Ewing told MSPs at an appearance at the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on Wednesday that Scotland had effectively been “cut out” of negotiations, with its foremost expert left “outside the room” and subject to briefings rather than involvement.

He said: "That is an opportunity missed to get the best deal for Scotland.

"The real risk now in the next couple of weeks is that some last-minute shady deal is done by Mr [David] Frost, or whoever it is in the UK side, without reference to Scotland and it has unforeseen unintended adverse consequences for Scotland.

"On a ministerial level, I’m afraid there just has not been the engagement and that is the same with third party negotiations with Norway, Faroes, Iceland. We have been cut out of these negotiations.

"This is just a very foolish approach because frankly the Scottish officials have the knowledge about Scottish fishing interests, I’m afraid the UK officials just don’t have the same degree of knowledge probably because it is not their direct responsibility.

"Therefore they are not so familiar with the highly complex issues involved and this is extremely unfortunate and potentially very damaging.”

The rural economy minister also warned the UK Government was taking on the role of a new commission that would decide on the fishing policy for the nations within the UK.

He said: “Instead of a partnership of equals, and bare in mind that Scottish fisheries are much more valuable than English fishery, it is by far bigger than the English fishery. The early signs are that the UK Government seems to regard itself as the boss, the commission, if you like.

"This is seriously worrying for me.”

Mr Ewing was also questioned on the impact of Brexit on the wider rural economy amidst Scottish Government claims the industry will lose £170 million in cuts between now and 2024/25 due to the UK Government failing to match previous EU funding.

The rural economy minister said these were concerns shared by both the Welsh and Northern Irish devolved administrations.

He said: “During the Brexit campaign, promises were made by pro-Brexit campaigners and government ministers in the UK that farmers and crofters would not be worse off and that EU funding would be matched post-Brexit.

"The UK Government is not delivering on that promise.”

Commenting on the UK’s planned ‘Shared Prosperity Fund’, planned to replace EU funding, Mr Ewing said: “There is as much evidence and facts available re: the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as there is an evidential basis to the source of funding of Santa Claus's largesse.”

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