Some sections of Scotland's fishing industry have accused Sir Keir Starmer's government of "capitulating" to the EU over a deal on access to UK waters. Labour ministers have agreed a 12-year deal which extends existing access for EU boats in exchange for reduced checks and restrictions on food exports. The agreement was described as "disastrous" by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) while Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said it was a "great betrayal of our fishing fleet". But fish farming body Salmon Scotland welcomed the deal as a "slashing of red tape" which will allow Scottish products and people easier access to the EU. The prime minister officially announced the deal as part of the first UK-EU summit, describing it as a "win-win". He said the fishing agreement would protect UK access with no increase in EU vessels, while other measures meant shellfish could now be sold again in Europe. The new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement (SPS) would also benefit other agricultural exporters while holidaymakers will be able to use eGates at some airports to cut down on passport queue wait times, Starmer added. Forbes welcomed closer co-operation which "unpicks a small part of the damage that Brexit continues to inflict". But she criticised the lack of consultation with the Scottish government over the fishing deal. "Given the importance of fishing to Scotland it is also astonishing that the Scottish government was giving no warning of this great betrayal of our fishing fleet," she said. The previous post-Brexit deal saw the UK regain 25% of fishing rights from the EU, but it also gave European boats continuous access to UK waters. Itwas due to expire at the end of June 2026but the new agreement will see that extended until the summer of 2038. Thedeal does not include any change to current access to fish for coastal communities. There is no reduction in the British quota or increase in the quota the EU is allowed to catch. But SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said she was worried the agreement would end any "leverage" the UK has in future negotiations. She toldBBC Radio's Good Morning Scotlandprogramme: "This is not a roll over, it's a total capitulation to the EU and a disastrous outcome for the Scottish fishing fleet. "The EU have clearly reneged on a deal that they signed up to in 2020 and have said that they require to have another multi-year deal. "But in doing so the UK loses all its negotiating capital and all its leverage, so the EU continues to take a far bigger share of the resources in our waters than they are entitled to. "We've always been in this position where fishing seems to be the expendable price for something else that the UK wants." While the deal has been criticised, it has also been welcomed in other parts of Scotland's fishing and food production industries. Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said the new agreement would help cut the time taken to get products into the EU market. "This breakthrough will ease the burden on our farmers, processors and the communities they support," he said. "Scottish salmon is the UK's largest food export, with strong demand in the EU, the US and beyond." The deal also benefits shellfish producers after the EUbanned British fishermen from selling live mussels, oysters, clams, cockles and scallopsto its member states in 2021. Under those rules, fishermen were previously not allowed to transport the animals to the EU unless they had already been treated in purification plants. Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Association, described the deal as an "utter betrayal". He said it was the "third time" the fishing industry had been "sold down the river," citing decisions by former prime minister Ted Heath, who took the UK into the EU in 1973, and Boris Johnson, who negotiated its exit in the aftermath of Brexit in 2020. Mr Park said: "We understand the free flow of food products, the EU benefit from that and the UK benefit from it. "But here we have a massive fleet coming into UK waters and the UK fishing industry gets nothing out of it." Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, described the deal as a "surrender" and "one of the biggest acts of betrayal that our fishing industry has seen in Scotland." She said: "Our fishermen have been used as a pawn by Keir Starmer, which will result in catastrophic consequences for our coastal communities." The UK government also announced a £360m fund to invest in coastal communities as part of the agreement. It said that would go towards new technology and equipment to modernise the fleet, training to upskill workforces and help to "revitalise" coastal communities. About 4,000 people are employed in Scotland's commercial sea fishing industry,according to a Scottish government report published in 2023. In 2022, it brought £335m into the Scottish economy, more than half of which came from Aberdeenshire, including the UK's largest fishing port at Peterhead. The fish farming and aquaculture industries account for about 2,200 jobs andbrought in £337m to the Scottish economy in 2022. In France, Scottish salmon became the first non-French product to carry the "Label Rouge" mark, given to products deemed to be of a "superior quality". Keir Starmer has described this UK-EU deal as a "win-win" but that is not necessarily how it is viewed by every part of the Scottish fishing industry. The sharply contrasting reactions of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation - which has accused the UK government of "capitulation" - and Salmon Scotland, which has welcomed an agreement it believes will "slash red tape", underlines the fact that any deal involves trade-offs. The UK government is trying to offset the disappointment of some in the fishing industry with a £360m fund for coastal communities. There are aspects of closer cooperation between the UK and EU that the Scottish government is happy to welcome. However, there was never going to be a package that would satisfy SNP ministers, as they favour a return to the EU. They argue the best way for that to be achieved is through Scottish independence. But that debate has lost much of its previous energy. An earlier "reset" in relations between the UK and devolved governments has improved how they work together. But Scottish ministers argue that they should have been consulted on today's deal, despite foreign affairs being a matter reserved to Westminster.
EU deal disastrous for Scotland, says fishing body
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Scottish Fishing Industry Divided Over New EU Access Deal"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The Scottish fishing industry has expressed significant discontent with a recent agreement between the UK and the EU, with some accusing Sir Keir Starmer's government of yielding to European demands. The 12-year deal allows EU vessels continued access to UK waters, which the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) has labeled as 'disastrous.' Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes described the agreement as a 'great betrayal' of Scotland's fishing fleet, emphasizing the lack of consultation with the Scottish government prior to the deal's announcement. While the agreement extends existing access for EU boats, critics argue that it undermines the UK's negotiating position, effectively giving the EU a larger share of fishing resources than entitled. SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald stated that this deal represents a total capitulation to the EU, eroding any leverage the UK may have had for future negotiations. The previous fishing agreement, which allowed the UK to regain 25% of fishing rights, is now set to be extended until 2038, raising concerns about the long-term implications for Scotland's fishing communities.
In contrast to the criticism from the SFF and other fishing advocates, the fish farming sector has welcomed the deal, viewing it as a reduction of bureaucratic hurdles that will facilitate easier access for Scottish products to the EU market. Salmon Scotland's chief executive, Tavish Scott, noted that the agreement would benefit Scottish farmers and processors, enhancing the export potential of Scottish salmon, which is a major food export for the UK. Additionally, the deal aims to revive shellfish exports, which had faced restrictions since 2021. Despite the mixed reactions, the UK government has announced a £360 million fund to support coastal communities, intending to modernize the fishing fleet and improve local economies. However, the Scottish Conservative MP Harriet Cross condemned the deal as a 'surrender' that jeopardizes the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal communities, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding fishing rights and trade relations post-Brexit. As the debate continues, the contrasting views within Scotland's fishing and food production sectors underscore the complexities and trade-offs inherent in such agreements.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the contentious nature of a recent deal between the UK and the EU regarding fishing rights, emphasizing the conflicting perspectives within Scotland. While some fishing industry representatives express discontent and describe the agreement as a betrayal, others, such as the fish farming body, view it positively for reducing bureaucratic hurdles. This divided reaction illustrates the complexity of the situation, indicating a broader context of post-Brexit negotiations and their implications for various sectors.
Implications for Scotland's Fishing Industry
The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) has been vocal about its disapproval, labeling the new deal as "disastrous." Their criticism centers on the perception that the deal favors EU access to UK waters without adequate compensation for Scottish fishermen, reflecting a sense of betrayal felt by many in the industry. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the lack of consultation from the UK government with the Scottish government. This situation raises questions about the governance and autonomy of devolved administrations in the UK, especially concerning vital industries like fishing.
Divergent Perspectives
In contrast, the reaction from Salmon Scotland indicates that not all sectors within the fishing industry share the same concerns. Their support for the deal is based on the belief that it will streamline processes and open up easier access to EU markets, highlighting a significant division in the perception of post-Brexit trade arrangements. This divergence suggests that various stakeholders in the fishing industry have differing priorities, which complicates the narrative surrounding Brexit's impact.
Political Context and Public Sentiment
The deal's announcement during a UK-EU summit, which was framed by Prime Minister Starmer as a "win-win," can be interpreted as an attempt to project a sense of success in negotiations. However, the backlash from Scotland indicates that the government may be underestimating the sentiments of a crucial demographic. The article hints at a potential political backlash, with the Scottish government feeling sidelined in negotiations that directly affect its constituents.
Potential Economic Consequences
The article does not delve deeply into the broader economic implications of the deal, but the concerns raised by the fishing industry could reflect wider anxieties about the post-Brexit economy. The fishing sector is vital for many coastal communities, and dissatisfaction with governmental agreements could lead to economic instability in these areas.
Public Perception and Trust
The framing of the deal as a betrayal by key figures within the Scottish government could lead to a decline in public trust towards the UK government, particularly among those who feel their interests are not adequately represented. This sentiment could translate into political support for parties that advocate for greater autonomy or even independence in Scotland.
Market Implications
While the article does not directly address financial markets, the fishing industry is interconnected with broader agricultural and export markets. Discontent within the fishing sector could affect stock prices of companies involved in seafood production and exportation if it leads to reduced confidence in future trade agreements.
The content of the article presents a mixed narrative that reflects the complexities of post-Brexit negotiations and their impact on various stakeholders. The focus on dissenting voices from Scotland suggests an intention to highlight the challenges faced by specific communities in the broader context of UK-EU relations.