The Scottish Government needs to halt the “blame game” and deliver on inshore fisheries and agriculture sectors, according to local constituency MSP Finlay Carson.
He insists the “biggest threat” to both industries comes from the total lack of progress and abysmal failure of the SNP Government.
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP fired his broadside on Tuesday as Holyrood debated Labour leader Keir Starmer’s shameful European Union fishing sell-out that threatens to devastate Scotland’s fisherman.
The Prime Minister agreed to allow EU boats to have continued access to UK waters until 2038 as part of his deal with his European counterparts.
Mr Carson believes the shock move will have a “significant negative impact” on the Scottish pelagic and demersal fishing industry as a direct result of the complete capitulation by the Labour Government.
He told MSPs: “That said, many inshore fishermen and farmers in my constituency of Galloway and West Dumfries will welcome changes to their Sanitary and Phytosanitary, controls at border control posts, allowing more friction free access to European markets for our time-sensitive exports, including scallops, langoustines, lobsters, salmon and Scotch beef.”
But the Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP quickly pointed both barrels at the SNP Ministers.
He said: “The biggest threat, however, to the inshore and agriculture sectors is a total lack of progress and abysmal failure of the SNP Government to deliver sustainable and profitable inshore fisheries management, or indeed, nine years on, they’re yet to deliver a fit-for-purpose replacement for the CAP for our farmers.
“When will this government stop pointing the finger at failures elsewhere and pull out the finger and step up to the responsibilities to deliver a just transition for fishing, farming and our food sectors?”
In response, Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson said he agreed with Finlay Carson that an SPS agreement, so an agro-food deal, is a good thing for farming communities which he represents.
He added: “I agree that it is so, and I agree with him about the shortcomings about the UK Government’s position in relation to the 12-year straight jacket that they’ve agreed to.”
