BORIS Johnson cast Scottish fishermen adrift to broker his Brexit deal, it has emerged.
The Prime Minister had tried to put an upbeat festive spin on a Christmas video message when he said: “I have a small present for anyone who may be looking for something to read in that sleepy post-Christmas lunch moment, and here it is, tidings, glad tidings of great joy, because this is a deal.”
But the details on page 909 of the 1250-page deal, which grants “full access” to each others’ waters until June 30, 2026, has left Scottish fishermen with indigestion.
Mike Park, chief executive of Scottish White Fish Producers Association, described the deal as “a betrayal by the UK Government on the Scottish industry”.
Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, described the broken promises as “hugely disappointing.”
While Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said there was “frustration and anger” as “Boris Johnson ... was willing to sacrifice fishing” and warned “the industry will be extremely disappointed”.
That view is echoed by the SNP, which has called the Westminster Government to account for “an extraordinary Brexit con” after they championed taking back full and entire control of fisheries throughout the process.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: “No-one in Scotland can ever again trust a word the Tories say. This is a massive sell-out.
“They have conned and deceived people. Their own words, when they talked about ‘betrayal’ and leaving the common fisheries policy ‘in name only’, have come back to haunt them.
“They said that access and quota shares with the EU must be negotiated on an annual basis without any pre-existing arrangement being in force.
“But in a spectacular broken promise, Boris Johnson’s UK Government have signed a deal that guarantees long-term access for EU boats.
“They said that ‘tying fishing to a trade deal’ was a red line that must not be crossed. But that is precisely what they have done.
“They have agreed to the worst of all worlds – a hard Brexit deal including a fisheries deal that, in their own words, means we have left the common fisheries policy in name only.
“The Tories have forced Brexit on Scotland which will mean a huge hit to the wider economy and jobs in the middle of a pandemic and recession.
“In an independent Scotland we would have a seat at the top table with a Scottish government fighting for our interests in Europe.
“The broken promises of [Scottish Conservatives leader] Douglas Ross, [Scottish Secretary] Alister Jack and [junior minister] David Duguid are completely unforgivable and they must be held to account.”
Fisheries are just one of the key areas to risk ruin from the deal.
The Scottish Government forewarns that a decade of despond awaits outside of the European Union from the New Year.
It predicts that Scotland’s gross domestic product (GDP) could be cut by around 6.1%, which equates to around £9 billion by 2016 figures, come 2030.
The lack of access to the free market and increased customs and borders restrictions will hit Scottish businesses particularly hard.
Manufacturing, food and drink, agriculture and forestry are expected to be hit particularly hard because of increased bureaucracy and changes to business practices.
Mike Russell, the Scottish Government’s Constitution, Europe and External Affairs Secretary, said: “Leaving the European Single Market and Customs Union would be damaging at any time, but in the middle of the current crisis it is unforgiveable and completely unnecessary.
“We are doing everything we can to mitigate against the consequences of the UK Government’s actions.”
While Johnson’s much-publicised oven-ready Brexit is being heralded by Unionist Brexiteers as now being ready to serve, it looks well underdone. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also highlighted just one of the anomalies in the pronouncements of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) over seed potatoes.
Defra had insisted that the EU would clear the bulk of food and plant exports from the UK to continue after January 1.
But seed potato farmers are not protected, with Defra conceding: “Unfortunately the EU have confirmed they will not accept our case for a permanent change to the prohibition on seed potatoes … on the grounds that there is no agreement for GB to be dynamically aligned with EU rules.”
Scotland prides itself on being one of the biggest exporters for the production of chips and crisps in the world, which amounts to three-quarters of UK production and worth around £112 million a year.
Sturgeon said: “This is a disastrous Brexit outcome for Scottish farmers … and like all other aspects of Brexit, foisted on Scotland against our will.”
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