Question reference: S5W-06425
- Asked by: Maree Todd, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 23 January 2017
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Current status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 31 January 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding prohibiting the trading away of access to Scottish waters to fishermen from the EU on a long-term or permanent basis after the UK leaves the EU.
Answer
While the UK Government has yet to commence its formal Brexit negotiations, a firm guarantee that long term or permanent access to Scottish waters will not be used as a “bargaining chip” in Brexit negotiations has repeatedly been sought by Scottish Ministers, both in writing and in face-to-face meetings with UK Ministers. No such guarantee has been provided. In view of the significance of this issue to Scotland, however, the Scottish Government will continue to seek assurances that the interests of Scottish industry and communities will not be sacrificed during Brexit negotiations to secure other interests elsewhere in the UK.