THERESA May has been warned not to betray Scotland’s fishing industry after leaked documents indicated her ministers do not consider fishing a high priority in the Brexit talks with EU leaders.
According to a UK Government memo the fishing industry has been designated as only a “medium” concern for negotiations by comparison to banking and the car industry.
The document surfaced as a separate leaked document, from the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, suggests the EU is preparing to negotiate for foreign vessels to continue to access UK waters and restrict British access to additional fishing quotas post Brexit.
Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP will today call for the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Andrea Leadsom to make a statement to Westminster and answer questions from MPs, on the UK Government’s commitment to the fishing industry.
The MP for Banff and Buchan said: “The UK Government must not betray Scotland’s fishing industry again – it is a vital part of our economy and crucial to the livelihoods of many communities and many thousands of families across the country.
“Andrea Leadsom must urgently come to Parliament and explain the contents of this Brexit memo.”
A UK Government spokesperson said it recognised the importance of the British fishing industry and “leaving the EU is an opportunity to review fisheries management in the UK”.
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