Mon, 19 May 2025

Mon, 19 May 2025 EU deal disastrous for Scotland, says fishing body

A new deal extending access for EU boats in UK waters has been agreed as part of a wider softening of relations with the bloc.

* The UK government has agreed a 12-year deal with the EU on access to UK waters, extending existing EU access in exchange for reduced checks and restrictions on food exports.
* The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) has accused the UK government of "capitulation" and described the agreement as "disastrous".
* Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said it was a "great betrayal of our fishing fleet", criticising the lack of consultation with the Scottish government.
* Salmon Scotland welcomed the deal, saying it would allow for easier access to the EU market and cut red tape.
* The new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement (SPS) will benefit other agricultural exporters and also allows holidaymakers to use eGates at some airports.
* The previous post-Brexit deal saw the UK regain 25% of fishing rights from the EU, but this agreement extends existing access until 2038 with no change to current access to fish for coastal communities.
* SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said the agreement would end any "leverage" the UK has in future negotiations and described it as a "total capitulation".
* The deal includes a £360m fund to invest in coastal communities, but critics say this is not enough to offset the disappointment of some in the fishing industry.
  >>