Fishing industry warns of “increasingly hostile environment” amid criticism of SNP / Green deal

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SNP / Green deal attacked by Scottish Fishing Federation

In a letter to Rural and Islands Affairs Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon and Net Zero Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson, the Scottish Fishermens Federation criticized the astonishing omission of fishing as a food production from the OK.

Federation chief executive Elspeth Macdonald also warned that the growth of offshore wind and other marine renewables threatens the future of the fishing industry.

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The letter comes as Scottish Tories have confirmed they will vote against the appointment of Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater to junior ministerial posts.

The Douglas Ross party argues that allowing the Greens to continue to have a guaranteed question on prime ministers’ questions and to receive additional funding as an opposition party is incompatible with their government membership with the SNP.

Holyrood is expected to debate the appointment of the two Green MPs to the government on Tuesday following a statement in parliament on Nicola Sturgeon’s deal.

The fishing industry is among the first sectors to expressly criticize the detail of the deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens since it was revealed to the public over a week ago.

Still feeling the pain of a hugely disappointing Brexit settlement, the Fishermen’s Federation said the deal was aimed at restricting, not helping, our industry.

The letter adds: It is a surprising omission that the part of the policy cooperation document dealing with fisheries does not make a single reference to the fact that fishing is part of Scottish food production and part of our national food security.

“There is nothing in the agreement between the parties that recognizes or appears to value or support what our industry does. Instead, we have a litany of proposed restrictions on where and how we can fish, with no evidence presented as to why these very restrictive measures are necessary.

He urges the government to consult with the fishing industry on the growth of offshore wind and other marine renewable energies.

Stating that growth in this area will clearly be key, the federation warns that unrestricted growth further threatens the ability to fish.

He says: Without careful, fair and thoughtful planning and decision-making, this further threatens our industry’s ability to fish safely and efficiently.

“The wind blows across the sea, but the fish are not evenly distributed. We urge the government to commit to ensuring that the growth of the offshore renewable energy industry does not come at a cost to our own.

The letter concludes: We need a government that respects and values ​​what we can do to address these future challenges and supports us in our efforts, not a government that seems determined to create an increasingly hostile environment for this sector. which contributes so much not only to Scotland but more widely A Scottish Government spokesperson said: The Scottish Government recognizes the vital role of fish as a source of food and the importance of the industry to rural communities , as well as the need to protect our marine environment for future generations to enjoy and make a living from.

The agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Group is committed to working together in a constructive and collaborative manner. The sustainability of the fishing industry will be a key element. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotlands the Sunday Show, Patrick Harvie criticized the attacks by far-right newspapers on the agreement, calling the old pillar of BBC far-right Andrew Neil following the party critics are Marxist Eco-Zealots.

The Co-Leader was also asked whether it was a decision by the Scottish Greens or the SNP to decline full Cabinet Secretary posts under the Cooperation Agreement.

The Green politician said that due to the absence of a full coalition and a reluctance to be bound by full collective responsibility, the decision was made to take on deputy minister roles instead.

He said: It’s a little more nuanced than a coalition and that means we didn’t think it could take full collective responsibility for Cabinet.

“And I think it would be reasonable from the government’s point of view for anyone who is a full member of the cabinet to be fully committed to collective responsibility.

He added, “We have always been much more focused on what the government is going to do differently as a result of this cooperation agreement, rather than the one whose name is on which ministerial door.

“But as it became clear that there really was no room for a full coalition because we had significant differences on a number of issues, we were unwilling to accept the idea of ​​a full collective responsibility, I think it would be appropriate not to take full positions in cabinet.

Ms Slater and Mr Harvie will both be approved as ministers at Holyrood this week, but will face opposition from the Scottish Tories.

Stephen Kerr, the party’s chief whip, said the Tories would oppose the decision and the coalition as it would weaken the Scottish Parliament if the Greens retained the privileges accorded to opposition parties.

He said: We cannot accept the Greens’ ridiculous attempt to outsmart the system by being both in government and in opposition. This nationalist agreement is a coalition, according to the Greens’ own constitution. He will see the Greens join the government and be bound by a deal to support the SNP in the votes.

The Greens cannot have their cake and eat it. The Scottish Parliament will be weakened if it is allowed to exercise government office and retain the rights of opposition parties, including receiving additional funds and a key post during First Ministers’ Questions. “

Calling the Scottish Greens “extremists”, Mr Kerr said the party was a danger to Scotland.

He said: As we realize our recovery, neither can we support extreme Scottish government ministers who would recklessly risk jobs and businesses. Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater readily admit that they want to put the brakes on our economy. They have said themselves that they are against endless economic growth.

Extremist Greens are not worthy of being elected. They represent a danger to Scotland’s economic recovery with their anti-jobs and anti-business ideological agenda. Only the Scottish Conservatives will resist the serious economic threat posed by this nationalist coalition of chaos.

The decision whether the Scottish Greens will continue to have a guaranteed question for the FMQs or receive opposition funding will be made by the chairperson, former Green MP Alison Johnstone.

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