Ross highlights SNP’S betrayal of fishermen
Moray MP Douglas Ross has hit out at the SNP after their MEPs ignored the interests of Scottish fishermen and backed an attempt by the European Parliament to keep the UK inside the despised Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) after the UK leaves the EU.
Douglas said: “I fully support our fishing industry here in Moray and across Britain and I will continue to stand alongside them in our efforts to get out of the CFP as soon as is possible after Brexit. I made this clear when I criticised my own government over the transitional arrangements they negotiated for fishing but the vote taken in the EU, supported by the SNP, is a real slap in the face for our fishing communities.
“I find it extraordinary that the SNP can turn its back on our fishermen like this. It is total hypocrisy after all their bluster about how Scotland’s fishing industry could only be safe in the SNPs hands. This proves exactly why our fishermen cannot trust the SNP because it is now abundantly clear that they want to keep our UK fleet in the bureaucratic and unfair CFP.
“The MEPs were voting on a report from the European Parliament that said the UK must either give up the right to exercise control of its fishing grounds or face losing EU markets for its fish. Rather than stand up for our fishing industry the SNP and other parties bowed to this and turned their backs on our fishermen. Conservatives voted against the report.
“Promises from the likes of Stewart Stevenson, who claims to stand-up for fishermen, will now be seen as hollow and worthless if he doesn’t come out and publicly criticise his MEP colleagues. This betrayal of our fishermen will not be forgotten. “
The proposal is contained in a wider report on fish products entering the EU, which was passed by the European Parliament in Strasbourg.