Boris Johnson admits Brexit deal 'fell very far short' for fishing industry
The Prime Minister met with industry experts in Fraserburgh today, they say he accepted the sector had been short changed.
Last updated 5th Aug 2021
A fishing industry expert say's Boris Johnson admitted his Brexit deal "fell very far short" for the sector, at a meeting today (August 5).
The Prime Minister attended a business meeting earlier today with Scottish Fisheries leaders in Fraserburgh.
He was told by those at the table that the UK Governments' help was required to build the industry back up after a 'bad brexit'.
Leaders of the industry claim vessels have been left 'battling' for opportunities, whilst EU ships continue to have full access to UK waters.
Scottish Fishermen's Federation Chief Executive Elspeth MacDonald told us:
"He listened to us, he gave us a fair hearing and I think he accepted that the Brexit deal fell very far short of what the industry had hoped for - and indeed what his government had committed to deliver."
On what fisheries need from the UK Government in the short and long-term, she continued:
"The Prime Minister has spoken previously of an El Dorado of fish from 2026 onwards but we are seeking a commitment from him to deliver much better opportunities for the Scottish fleet in the meantime as well as in the longer term,” said Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.
“In the short term it will be a case of survival for the industry, but we want to thrive, and to ensure that we can build back this industry we need to start planning now.”
In the meantime, Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association, pressed Mr Johnson to order an independent review of the “flawed” science behind proposed quota cuts from ICES to key species such as cod for 2022.
“Lack of fishing opportunities for our key commercial species at a time of abundant stocks is holding the whitefish fleet back severely, and it’s about to get a lot worse because of over-zealous faith in flawed science.
“With the Covid-19 pandemic, the value of accurate science has become glaringly obvious, yet in our sector jobs and income for the fleet are at risk from partial, single-source science that is totally at odds with what skippers see daily on the grounds and is never subjected to independent review.
“We need scientific evidence that can command the trust of everyone to help deliver secure and sustainable fishing.”
Chief executive of the Scottish Seafood Association, Jimmy Buchan outlined how Brexit and Covid-19 had combined to create a perilous situation for companies, with production and export capacity severely reduced.
During a lively meeting Mr Buchan said: “I along with others from the catching sector made it plain to the Prime Minister that the Brexit deal had fallen far short of expectations.
“And most pertinently for the processing sector, I sought an assurance that the Government would work closely with us to resolve the critical shortage of labour.
“He agreed that a campaign was required to encourage young people into the industry and on the need for direct action to stem the haemorrhage of overseas workers that has occurred since the 1st of January.”