Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 30 April 2025
30 Apr 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Fishing Industry
When I was representing my local fishing community as a councillor, I made a promise that, if I ever became an MSP, I would make sure to raise the subject of fishing. I have already fulfilled that promise, and I continue to do so willingly.
The thrust of today’s debate centres around worrying reports that the United Kingdom Labour Government is preparing to trade away our country’s fishing rights. Fishermen across Scotland are alarmed by that. I know that because many have been in touch with me. It has been widely reported that Labour’s desire for a deal means that it has forgotten fishermen, which could lead to its making a new deal that includes a multi-annual agreement and a freeze on quotas. That compares with the planned end of the trade and co-operation agreement next year, which would have brought annual negotiations and a significant transfer of rights back to the UK fleet.
I am more than happy to give way right now if the Scottish Labour front bench wants to intervene and give the sector a full assurance that that is not true and will not happen.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-17360, in the name of Tim Eagle, on protecting Scotland’s fishing industry. I invite members who wish to ...
Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
When I was representing my local fishing community as a councillor, I made a promise that, if I ever became an MSP, I would make sure to raise the subject of...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
It is absolutely crass to suggest that fishing will be negotiated for national security. Surely, the member recognises that.
Tim Eagle
Con
I did not say that.
Rhoda Grant
Lab
That is the premise of your motion. I ask you to recant and actually have a debate about fishing.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Through the chair, please.
Tim Eagle
Con
The member might need to read my motion. It does not mention defence, and I am not going to mention defence in my speech—others may, but I am not going to. I...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
Perhaps the member would like to read our paper on the marine economy and what that would look like in an independent Scotland, which was published as part o...
Tim Eagle
Con
I will read rhetoric from the SNP less and listen more to my constituents who want out of the common fisheries policy. Labour members will perhaps challenge...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
I welcome Tim Eagle’s recognition that the TCA did not deliver for the fishing sector. Perhaps the Scottish Tories should have opened the debate by offering ...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
I appreciate the cabinet secretary’s remarks. Has the Scottish Government reached out to the UK Labour Government to ask for a meeting to discuss Labour’s im...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Unfortunately, the interministerial group meetings at which we would have hoped to discuss these issues over the past couple of months were cancelled at the ...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The point that the cabinet secretary made was—I know the word that I am not allowed to use—deliberately misleading an...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You are not allowed to use that terminology either, Mr Ross.
Douglas Ross
Con
I cannot use the words “lying” or “deliberately misleading”?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
No, you cannot.
Douglas Ross
Con
What words can I use?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
That is not a point of order, Mr Ross.
Douglas Ross
Con
The cabinet secretary has—Interruption. I said “deliberately misleading”, but I am not allowed to use that term either. The cabinet secretary deliberately us...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You have made your point, Mr Ross. That is not a point of order—it is perhaps a debating point. I require the cabinet secretary to move her amendment.
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I move amendment S6M-17370.3, to leave out from first “with the EU” to second “with the EU” and insert: “on fishing with the EU that enhances access for EU ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Rhoda Grant to speak to and move amendment S6M-17360.1. 16:44
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
The Conservatives are so devoid of ideas that they are reduced to a point whereby they must feed discord on everything that they touch. The United Kingdom Go...
Tim Eagle
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Rhoda Grant
Lab
I will take a very quick intervention.
Tim Eagle
Con
Does the member agree that it is best to have annual negotiations, as was expected at the end of the TCA, rather than multi-annual negotiations, which is bei...
Rhoda Grant
Lab
There is no deal. We will see what comes out, and we will have discussions about that when it happens. How the previous UK Conservative Government handled t...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Rhoda Grant
Lab
I do not have time to take another intervention. The Scottish Conservative motion seeks to suggest that we need no change to the current system that its Gov...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You need to conclude.