A Conservative government “commitment” that the UK will leave the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) by 2020 has been welcomed by Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron.
The fishing industry was anxious that the UK could still be bound to EU rules during a mooted extension to the Brexit implementation period.
Though the UK is to leave the EU in March, transitional arrangements are set to continue until December 2020.
The Prime Minsiter has talked about the implementation period taking longer than expected during which EU rules would still apply to the UK.
Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said Theresa May was “very clear”over taking back control of fisheries.
Mr Mundell said: “I have been very clear with her and she has been very clear with me and indeed my colleagues, who have raised this issue, that the UK will be an independent coastal state at the negotiations in relation to fishing in December 2020 regardless of what else happens.”
► Western Isles fishing industry highlghts economic opportunities after Brexit
Donald Cameron MSP said: “I am delighted to hear this firm commitment from David Mundell that the UK will be an independent coastal state and free from the shackles of the CFP by 2020.
Both before and after the vote to leave the EU, many residents in the Western Isles have been clear that they desire to leave the CFP because it has decimated the industry locally over a number of years, and that leaving the EU could lead to a renewal of our fishing sector.
“The SNP want Scotland to remain in the CFP, which would be a disastrous move, and I would therefore urge Angus MacNeil MP and Alasdair Allan MSP to welcome this commitment from the UK Government, as opposed to trying to force Scotland back into the hated Common Fisheries Policy.”
► Western Isles fishing industry highlights economic opportunities after Brexit
Welcome for commitment EU fisheries regime will end as planned
5 November 2018
