The Tories are no fisherman’s friend, says MP Angus MacNeil, as he criticised what he called ‘Tory pretences.’
Mr MacNeil said Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell was in “no position” to give a recent assurance the UK will leave the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) by 2020 even if the Brexit transition period is extended.
► Welcome for “commitment” to end EU fisheries regime as planned
The Conservative government is also continuing to “fail” the industry by refusing to assist with the ongoing crew shortage issue, e stated.
Mr MacNeil said: “David Mundell cannot given any guarantee on leaving CFP as there is as yet no plans for anything post Brexit.
He said the Conservatives who took the UK into the CFP and “enabled the concentration of fishing quotas in the hands of the few.”
Mr MaNeil added: “It was the Tories who were adamant just a few months ago that we
would have to leave CFP pre March 2019 before taking a u-
He said the UK government “cannot give any guarantee” that there will be no shellfish waiting at borders, that no shellfish will be wasted either in March 2019 or after December 2021, or that lorries will not be delayed on their weekly rotations.
“There are too many Tory pretences on fishing despite ‘assurances’ being welcomed by Tory MSP Donald Cameron,” he added.
“The chickens will be coming home to roost for the Tories very soon and Mr Cameron, despite his bluster, knows it well,” he said.
► Welcome for “commitment” to end EU fisheries regime as planned
“Tories are no friend of fishing,” says isles MP
9 November 2018