Highland MSP presses Scottish Government to drop HPMA plans and go back to the drawing board

A Highland MSP has called on the Scottish Government to drop its controversial plans for Highland Protected Marine Areas (HPMA).

The Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston told the minister for green skills, circular economy and biodiversity, Lorna Slater, that the SNP/Green government should drop their plans and go back to the drawing board at today's rural questions in Holyrood.

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Following the session, Mr Halcro Johnston said: “With communities up in arms and an SNP backbench rebellion looming, Scottish ministers now seem to be desperate to be at least seen to be listening to local opinion on their ill-considered plans for HPMAs.

“But the Scottish Government’s plans have already caused unnecessary concern in coastal communities across Scotland, and particularly in my Highlands and Islands region.

“Why do the SNP always seem to get it so wrong when dealing with rural Scotland and our island communities?

“The Scottish Government must drop these plans and, going back to the drawing board, engage fully to find agreement with local communities and stakeholders on a way forward."

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