By Ben Kerrigan-
The Scottish Government has joined fishing leaders in condemning the Brexit transition deal struck between the UK and European Commission.
First minister, Nicola Sturgeon denounced the agreement made on the implementation period as one “shaping up to be a massive sellout” of Scotland’s key fishing industry.
Blasting the deal as unacceptable, she was joined by Bertie Armstrong- the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation who said the fishing fleet will “still be subject to the whim and largesse” of the European Union for a further two years
But on the key issue of fishing rights, the agreement – reached by Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier – states that the UK will be “consulted” on the allocation of quotas during the transition period.
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Ms Sturgeon categorically condemned the deal on Twitter , saying: “This is shaping up to be a massive sellout of the Scottish fishing industry by the Tories. The promises that were made to them during #EUref and since are already being broken – as many of us warned they would be.”
The SFF is now demanding a “cast iron guarantee” that the UK will have complete control over its fishing waters when the transition deal comes to an end.The Conservatives are currently planning to present an amendment to the Scottish Government’s Brexit Continuity Bill that would prevent ministers introducing rules and regulations that would hinder free trade with the rest of the UK.This will prevent the Scottish government from using its new powers after Brexit to disrupt the UK’s internal market.
The key issue of fishing rights is a thorny issue for the Scottish government. The idea of bowing to EU direction on fishing is not one Sturgeon subscribes to at all. The decision reached by Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier giving the EU decisive powers in the sphere of fishing does not sit well with Nicola Sturgeon one bit states that the UK will be “consulted” on the allocation of quotas during the transition period.
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Commenting on the agreement, Mr Armstrong said: “This falls far short of an acceptable deal. We will leave the EU and leave the CFP (Common Fisheries Policy), but hand back sovereignty over our seas a few seconds later.
“Our fishing communities’ fortunes will still be subject to the whim and largesse of the EU for another two years.
“Put simply, we do not trust them to look after us. So we issue this warning to the EU: be careful what you do or the consequences later will be severe.
“To our politicians we say this: some have tried to secure a better deal but our governments have let us down. ”
The transitional deal comes a week after Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson teamed up with UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove to insist that the UK must leave the CFP when Britain quits the EU.
Scottish Tory MP John Lamont has already said he could vote against the final Brexit deal if it fails to give the UK total and immediate control over fish stocks and access to them.
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