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4 December, 2009
UK FISHERIES minister Huw Irranca-Davies must not compromise
on the issue of mackerel allocations during the annual
negotiations between the European Union and Norway, northern
isles MP Alistair Carmichael has told the House of Commons.
The MP said he imagined mackerel quotas could be a sticking
point in the difficult talks taking place prior to this
month’s crucial December fisheries council in Brussels.
He warned that mackerel should not be used as “a pawn in
some wider game with Norway”, adding “
“For Scottish fishermen and Shetland fishermen in
particular, that is an absolute red line. Whatever
difficulties the minister encounters, will he please
understand that, for the health of that important pelagic
sector, compromise could be unhelpful to say the least?” he
said. |
In response Mr Irranca-Davies
said: “ I am pleased to inform him not only that we are in
ongoing discussions trying to hold that line, but we have
written in a similar tone to the commissioner.”
After the debate, Mr Carmichael commented: “In the industry
there is a substantial concern that the centre round the
EU-Norway negations. These are proving to be more difficult
this year.
“As ever the danger is that those negotiating for our
fisheries will compromise too readily and will leave us with
dire consequences for the very important pelagic fleet.” |
