Chamber
Plenary, 13 Dec 2006
13 Dec 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Fisheries
Again, I return to the minister's own comments in which he described the Commission's proposals as "provocative and confrontational" and "particularly disappointing".
We have a mixed fishery and, time and again, the European Commission shows willingness to sacrifice the other fleets in Scottish waters in a vain attempt to save the cod when it has admitted that the cod recovery plan needs to be reviewed. That will happen next year. Why on earth then are we talking about more draconian cuts hitting Scotland's fishing sector 10 days before the negotiations when the review of the cod recovery plan will happen in a few months? The Commission refuses to swallow its pride. In evidence to the Environment and Rural Development Committee last week, the minister made that very point. He said in his submission:
"the Commission has staked its credibility as a fisheries manager on the recovery of cod."
It seems that the European Commission is willing to adopt a scorched earth policy to prevent itself from having to swallow its pride over its failed cod recovery plan. We cannot afford to sacrifice all the other sectors of the industry on the altar of the cod recovery plan, which has failed. Climate change and other factors influence the location of cod stocks. We saw the report of two weeks ago in which it was verified that climate change is impacting on the location of cod stocks.
I will conclude with two further points. If we manage Scotland's waters properly, we can have a prosperous future and our fishing communities can go from strength to strength. That means changing the existing system of fisheries management in Scottish waters. Scotland accounts for 25 per cent of European Union waters, yet of all the countries round the table deciding the future of Scotland's fishing communities, we have the least say. That has to change so that we can make fishing a priority in Scotland and give the industry a prosperous future.
I move amendment S2M-5303.2, to insert at end:
"calls for a deal that provides Scotland's fishing communities with a sustainable share of fishing opportunities and adequate time at sea to allow the industry's quota to be caught and demands that any deal to the contrary is rejected; notes with regret that the failed Common Fisheries Policy continues to deliver remote, inflexible and draconian fisheries management that results in ongoing instability and uncertainty for our catching and fish processing sectors, and believes that, since over two-thirds of UK fish landings are in Scotland, Scotland's fisheries minister should be designated as the official lead minister for the United Kingdom in EU negotiations."
We have a mixed fishery and, time and again, the European Commission shows willingness to sacrifice the other fleets in Scottish waters in a vain attempt to save the cod when it has admitted that the cod recovery plan needs to be reviewed. That will happen next year. Why on earth then are we talking about more draconian cuts hitting Scotland's fishing sector 10 days before the negotiations when the review of the cod recovery plan will happen in a few months? The Commission refuses to swallow its pride. In evidence to the Environment and Rural Development Committee last week, the minister made that very point. He said in his submission:
"the Commission has staked its credibility as a fisheries manager on the recovery of cod."
It seems that the European Commission is willing to adopt a scorched earth policy to prevent itself from having to swallow its pride over its failed cod recovery plan. We cannot afford to sacrifice all the other sectors of the industry on the altar of the cod recovery plan, which has failed. Climate change and other factors influence the location of cod stocks. We saw the report of two weeks ago in which it was verified that climate change is impacting on the location of cod stocks.
I will conclude with two further points. If we manage Scotland's waters properly, we can have a prosperous future and our fishing communities can go from strength to strength. That means changing the existing system of fisheries management in Scottish waters. Scotland accounts for 25 per cent of European Union waters, yet of all the countries round the table deciding the future of Scotland's fishing communities, we have the least say. That has to change so that we can make fishing a priority in Scotland and give the industry a prosperous future.
I move amendment S2M-5303.2, to insert at end:
"calls for a deal that provides Scotland's fishing communities with a sustainable share of fishing opportunities and adequate time at sea to allow the industry's quota to be caught and demands that any deal to the contrary is rejected; notes with regret that the failed Common Fisheries Policy continues to deliver remote, inflexible and draconian fisheries management that results in ongoing instability and uncertainty for our catching and fish processing sectors, and believes that, since over two-thirds of UK fish landings are in Scotland, Scotland's fisheries minister should be designated as the official lead minister for the United Kingdom in EU negotiations."
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5303, in the name of Ross Finnie, on fisheries.
The Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Ross Finnie):
LD
Those with a keen interest in fisheries will have welcomed the warm-up before this important debate.The European Union fisheries council will meet on Tuesday...
Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
The minister will be aware that the prospect of a cut in days at sea and in the quota for the prawn sector is causing enormous concern around Scotland's coas...
Ross Finnie:
LD
Richard Lochhead says that the scientific advice is in Scotland's favour. I repeat that the scientific advice on cod is quite clear. It states—
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I asked about prawns.
Ross Finnie:
LD
I am sorry. We understand that, subsequent to the ICES advice on prawns, the STECF has reiterated its position. We believe that that is the position that wil...
Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD):
LD
I hear what the minister says about his concern about the outcome of the EU-Norway talks and the 14 per cent cut in the cod quota. Is he aware of any member ...
Ross Finnie:
LD
No member state supported the original proposal for a 25 per cent cut, but I regret to say that, as the negotiations proceeded on a downward track to a 15 pe...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
It is important that we regenerate fishing communities as well as fish stocks. How will the European fisheries fund that comes to the United Kingdom be split...
Ross Finnie:
LD
The allocation of the new European fisheries fund has not been determined and will not be discussed at the December council. I accept Mark Ruskell's point th...
Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister tell us what percentage of the white-fish catch over the past year has been cod?
Ross Finnie:
LD
In terms of value, it remains a substantial figure. I do not have the percentage at my fingertips, but if I find it I will perhaps deal with it when I wind u...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Does the minister accept that the proposed measures would have an impact on not just the catching sector but the onshore sector? Fish processors will also be...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Minister, you have about one minute in which to wind up.
Ross Finnie:
LD
It would be absolutely amazing if a catch quota did not affect processors, so I accept that point totally.I will argue for substantial increases in the Rocka...
Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
On behalf of the Scottish National Party, I welcome today's debate and I use this opportunity to pay tribute to the men in our fishing industry. In particula...
Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab) rose—
Lab
Ross Finnie:
LD
Will the member give way?
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I will take an intervention from the minister.
Ross Finnie:
LD
Let us just take a step back. Is the member completely ignoring the scientific advice on the state of the stocks? Had we not taken the steps that we did, our...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I was about to come to those very points. When the European Commission proposed in July a 25 per cent across-the-board cut for quota and effort, there was an...
Ross Finnie:
LD
Surely, surely, surely Richard Lochhead cannot go on talking about the fact that haddock and nephrops are healthy and not recognise that cod can be caught in...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Again, I return to the minister's own comments in which he described the Commission's proposals as "provocative and confrontational" and "particularly disapp...
Mr Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
The Conservatives welcome today's debate. I understand that congratulations are in order, or perhaps the word should be "commiserations", because Ross Finnie...
Mr Ruskell:
Green
Will the member give way?
Ross Finnie:
LD
Will the member take an intervention?
Mr Brocklebank:
Con
Yes, Mr Finnie.
Ross Finnie:
LD
Will the member tell us which of the fleets that he mentioned actually have cod in the middle of their fishery? Will he tell us about mixed fisheries? This i...
Mr Brocklebank:
Con
The minister asks which other countries have mixed fisheries. The answer is easy: Iceland, the Faroes and Norway all have mixed fisheries and all handle thei...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
This annual debate on the deliberations of the fisheries council is always a story of how science is woven with politics into the fabric of the common fisher...