Deterioration of UK government relations with France over fishing row branded 'disgraceful' by Ross MP amid fears for local processors
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A ROSS-SHIRE MP has called on the UK government to "get its act together" over an escalating dispute with France over fishing rights.
Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, condemned the government’s handling of its dispute with France which led to the Foreign Secretary summoning the French Ambassador this evening evening.
It follows reports of a British trawler being seized by France and another fined amid wrangling over post-Brexit fishing rights.
French maritime minister Annick Girardin said the ships were cautioned during checks off Le Havre.
What is worse is that boat crews and fish processors based in my constituency are at risk of being caught in the middle of a diplomatic bunfight.
She said the first did not comply right away and the second was not allowed to fish in French waters so was detained.
Mr Stone's constituency contains three fishing ports: Kinlochbervie, Scrabster and Lochinver. In 2019-20 the three ports landed fish worth a combined total of £54.4 million.
Mr Stone MP said:“It is disgraceful that relations between the UK and France have deteriorated to the point that the Foreign Secretary has summoned the French Ambassador over fishing rights. What is worse is that boat crews and fish processors based in my constituency are at risk of being caught in the middle of a diplomatic bunfight. The UK government must get its act together sharpish to avoid any negative economic consequences for the fishing industry, which has already been hit hard by Brexit and the pandemic.”
Recent statistics showing changes in Scottish fish landings from 2019-20 revealed a drop of 21 per cent at Ullapool.
Scrabster registered a 16 per cent decline and Kinlochbervie 19 per cent, according to the Marine Scotland: Annual report on Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2020.
