THE power struggle between Westminster and Holyrood took to the seas last night after a row broke out over fishing policies.
UK Labour ministers accused their Nationalist counterparts of trying to withdraw unilaterally from the European Common Fisheries Policy.
They have questioned the legality of the Scottish Government's moves contained in a consultation launched yesterday by Richard Lochhead, the rural affairs secretary, and have said it will undermine Britain's negotiating power in the EU.
Another day, another power struggle; but the difference this time is that it isn’t only the British government questioning the separatist agenda in this particular area:
Barrie Deas, chief executive of NFFO, said: “This is undemocratic and will adversely affect many of the NFFO's members whose vessels happen to be registered in Scotland. There is no such thing as a Scottish or English quota. There is a UK quota. There is no basis in law for the Scottish Executive to apply unilateral measures that will have serious consequences across the UK industry.” He claimed that attempts to divide the Scottish and English industries were illogical. “If fishermen in Scotland go over their quota, fishermen in England are affected. You have to have co-operation.”
Jim Portus, of the UK Association of Fish Producers' Organisations, hinted that Mr Lochhead might be liable for legal action for unlawful restraint of trade. George MacRae, of the Scottish White Fish Producers' Association, said there was “every reason to suggest it is illegal”.
Let's hope it is illegal and if it is, let's start getting the responsible miscreants sorted out in court.
5 comments:
Fishing is devolved. Get over it.
The real question is why successive unionist administrations in Hollyrood never lifted a finger to do anything about it in the past.
The Scottish Government don't have to care about the 'national' in the NFFO. The nation they represent is Scotland.
As Iain MacSween, of the Scottish Fishermen's Organisation, said it was “entirely reasonable and lawful” for Scotland to define and organise its own quotas.
The SNP aren't looking for the approval of english and welsh fishermen, but the get the best outcome for the Scottish ones. Its not exactly a hidden agenda.
Fishing is devolved. Get over it
Does that mean the EU treats Scotland as a separate case?
The SNP wish to withdraw from the common fisheries policy, while remaining part of the EU. The inherent contradiction in their approach passes them by. Member states cannot unilaterally withdraw from existing provisions; new members states cannot pick and choose which treaty provisions to accept. As the SNp claim they would be a successor state to the UK if independence was achieved they are stuck with the CFP - this manipulation of the quota (which is probably ultra vires the Scottish Executive powers) is playing politics to garner support in their north east Scotland heartland. When challenged on NewsnightS cotland on Wednesday evening (see the iPlayer on the Beeb website) the fisheries secretary, Richard Lochhead was particularly inept - saying at one point, "I'm a Scottish minister I don't do things that are legal" (which the presenter had to correct, although in this matter one may describe it as a freudian slip).
Scott
{PS directed here by a google blog search on Richard Lochhead. I wrote a little piece on his performance the other night in my livejournal.
Thanks for that Scott, Mr Lochead's quote maybe reappearing soon;)
Posted a wee bit more on this tonight at http://loveandgarbage.livejournal.com/268453.html
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