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Scottish Fishermen's Federation says EU deal is 'disastrous' Scottish Fishermen's Federation says EU deal is 'disastrous'
(about 1 hour later)
The Scottish Fisherman's Federation said the deal was "terrible" for the industry in ScotlandThe Scottish Fisherman's Federation said the deal was "terrible" for the industry in Scotland
Scottish fisherman have accused Sir Keir Starmer's government of "capitulating" to the EU over a deal on access to UK waters.Scottish fisherman have accused Sir Keir Starmer's government of "capitulating" to the EU over a deal on access to UK waters.
Labour ministers have agreed a 12-year deal on access for EU boats in exchange for reduced checks on food exports.Labour ministers have agreed a 12-year deal on access for EU boats in exchange for reduced checks on food exports.
The agreement, which also includes a defence and security pact, has been described as "disastrous" by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF).The agreement, which also includes a defence and security pact, has been described as "disastrous" by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF).
Scottish Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson has also accused the UK government of failing to consult with devolved nations. But fish farming body Salmon Scotland welcomed the new agreement as a "slashing of red tape" which will allow Scottish products and people easier access to the EU.
The prime minister will officially announce the new deal at the first UK-EU summit. The prime minister officially announced the deal as part of the first UK-EU summit.
His government is expected to argue that it has secured improved trading rights for British food and agricultural products into the EU. His government argued that it has secured improved trading rights for British food and agricultural products into the bloc, while also allowing holidaymakers the use of eGates at some airports to cut down on passport queue wait times.
The UK and EU are also expected to co-operate on a new agreement allowing young people to travel and work more freely.
However, Scottish constitution secretary Angus Robertson accused the UK government of failing to consult with devolved nations.
The existing post-Brexit deal on fishing rights, which gave EU boats continuous access to UK waters, was due to expire at the end of June 2026.The existing post-Brexit deal on fishing rights, which gave EU boats continuous access to UK waters, was due to expire at the end of June 2026.
The new agreement will see that extended until the summer of 2038.The new agreement will see that extended until the summer of 2038.
It is understood the deal does not include any change to current access to fish for coastal communities. The deal does not include any change to current access to fish for coastal communities.
There is not expected to be a reduction in the British quota or an increase in the quota the EU is allowed to catch. There will be no reduction in the British quota or an increase in the quota the EU is allowed to catch.
The UK government has agreed a 12-year fishing deal with the EU
But SFF chief executive Elspeth MacDonald said the agreement would end any "leverage" the country had on future negotiations and accused the EU of "reneging" on the previous deal signed in 2020.But SFF chief executive Elspeth MacDonald said the agreement would end any "leverage" the country had on future negotiations and accused the EU of "reneging" on the previous deal signed in 2020.
She said Sir Keir was the "third prime minister to trade away [our] fishing industry". She told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "This is not a roll over, it's a total capitulation to the EU and a disastrous outcome for the Scottish fishing fleet.
'Expendable price'
Mrs MacDonald told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "This is not a roll over, it's a total capitulation to the EU and a disastrous outcome for the Scottish fishing fleet.
"The EU have clearly reneged on a deal that they signed up to in 2020 and have said that they require to have another multi-year deal."The EU have clearly reneged on a deal that they signed up to in 2020 and have said that they require to have another multi-year deal.
"But in doing so the UK loses all its negotiating capital and all its leverage, so the EU continues to take a far bigger share of the resources in our waters than they are in entitled to."But in doing so the UK loses all its negotiating capital and all its leverage, so the EU continues to take a far bigger share of the resources in our waters than they are in entitled to.
"We've always been in this position where fishing seems to be the expendable price for something else that the UK wants.""We've always been in this position where fishing seems to be the expendable price for something else that the UK wants."
The UK government has agreed a 12-year fishing deal with the EU 'Sold down the river'
Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Association, described the deal as an "utter betrayal".
He said it was the "third time" the fishing industry had been "sold down the river," citing decisions by former prime minister Ted Heath, who took the UK into the EU in 1973, and Boris Johnson, who negotiated its exit in the aftermath of Brexit in 2020.
Mr Park said: "We understand the free flow of food products, the EU benefit from that and the UK benefit from it.
"But here we have a massive fleet coming into UK waters and the UK fishing industry gets nothing out of it."
Mr Park said the deal was an "utter betrayal" of the fishing industry
Posting on X, Scotland's Constitution Secretary claimed the UK government had "agreed a fisheries (devolved) deal with EU in principle, without any recourse, involvement or approval" of devolved governments.Posting on X, Scotland's Constitution Secretary claimed the UK government had "agreed a fisheries (devolved) deal with EU in principle, without any recourse, involvement or approval" of devolved governments.
Angus Robertson wrote: "Scottish government received no documentation or draft proposals in advance. I asked UK minister last week for this. Nothing received."Angus Robertson wrote: "Scottish government received no documentation or draft proposals in advance. I asked UK minister last week for this. Nothing received."
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, described the deal as a "surrender" and "one of the biggest acts of betrayal that our fishing industry has seen in Scotland."
She said: "Our fishermen have been used as a pawn by Keir Starmer, which will result in catastrophic consequences for our coastal communities."
The UK government announced a £360m fund to invest in coastal communities as part of the agreement.
It said that would go towards new technology and equipment to modernise the fleet, training to upskill workforces and help to "revitalise" coastal communities.
'Breakthrough'
While the deal has been criticised, it has also been welcomed in other parts of Scotland's fishing and food production industries.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said the new agreement would help cut the time taken to get products into the EU market.
"This breakthrough will ease the burden on our farmers, processors and the communities they support," he said.
"Scottish salmon is the UK's largest food export, with strong demand in the EU, the US and beyond.
"We look forward to rebuilding trade ties across Europe and continuing to push for freer access in the US and other markets to support jobs and growth in our coastal communities."
Scottish salmon carries the "Label Rouge" quality mark in France
About 4,000 people are employed in Scotland's commercial sea fishing industry, according to a Scottish government report published in 2023.About 4,000 people are employed in Scotland's commercial sea fishing industry, according to a Scottish government report published in 2023.
In 2022, it brought £335m into the Scottish economy, more than half of which came from Aberdeenshire, including the UK's largest fishing port at Peterhead.In 2022, it brought £335m into the Scottish economy, more than half of which came from Aberdeenshire, including the UK's largest fishing port at Peterhead.
Overall, fishing accounts for about 0.4% of the UK's GDP.Overall, fishing accounts for about 0.4% of the UK's GDP.
'Catastrophic consequences' The fish farming and aquaculture industries account for about 2,200 jobs and brought in £337m to the Scottish economy in 2022.
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, described the deal as a "surrender" and "one of the biggest acts of betrayal that our fishing industry has seen in Scotland." In France, Scottish salmon became the first non-French product to carry the "Label Rouge" mark, given to products deemed to be of a "superior quality".
She said: "Our fishermen have been used as a pawn by Keir Starmer, which will result in catastrophic consequences for our coastal communities.
"This is a complete abandonment of our fishing fleets, when the industry should be benefiting from the opportunities presented by leaving the EU and the common fisheries policy."
The UK government has been asked to comment.