24 November, 2007

SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is urging the Scottish fisheries minister to put pressure on Europe to withdraw its demand that the isles’ fishing industry repay more than £1 million in grants.

This week the industry was dealt a blow when the European Commission stated that funding handed out by Shetland Islands Council over 13 years breached state aid rules.

The money was awarded through three separate schemes, impacting 78 young fishermen, 20 fishing boats and one fish processing factory. The EC now wants it returned to the SIC.

During Thursday’s fisheries debate in Holyrood, held on the lead up to December meeting of the EU fisheries council, Mr Scott pointed out inconsistencies in the EU’s argument and asked Richard Lochhead to investigate the matter.

Mr Scott said: “The EU is not only allowing Polish fishermen to continue to fish over quota but, it would appear, allowing French fishermen to receive fuel subsidies from their government.”

Mr Scott continued by asking the minister to provide assurances “that there will be a level playing field with regard to the issues that the fishermen in my constituency are confronting.”

In response Mr Lochhead said he shared the MSP’s concerns and would make it a priority to “pursue a level playing field throughout the EU”.

Afterwards, Mr Scott wrote to Mr Lochhead again asking him to exert pressure to change the Commission’s mind. He underlined the serious impact the decision would have if fishermen and processors have to pay back their grants.