Lochhead throws down gauntlet to UK minister

Westminster urged to back fishing support measures

By Keith Findlay

Published:

Holyrood fired another salvo at Westminster yesterday as Scotland’s fishing industry kept up the pressure for any government help to alleviate sky-high fuel costs.

Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead said he would do everything in his power to deliver an aid package to help the fleet to adjust to the high fuel costs.

He put the ball firmly in UK Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw’s court, saying the scope of a new three-year plan to achieve a sustainable and profitable industry relied on support coming from Westminster.

Mr Lochhead’s comments follow a blunt refusal by Mr Shaw to provide “de minimis” support – the maximum allowable under European Union (EU) state aid rules – to the industry.

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has been calling for de minimis aid for months amid growing fears that some of the fleet could be forced out of business by the high cost of fuel.

Mr Shaw says there is no pot of money available to fund such support and has highlighted competing demands for taxpayers’ money from other projects under his ministerial remit.

He has also said de minimis aid will not provide the long-term support the industry is crying out for.

Mr Lochhead, visiting Perth yesterday for the 2008 Scottish Game Fair and a meeting to update the fishing sector on the work of a fuel taskforce he launched in May, said the aid programme he was putting together also needed support from Brussels. EU fisheries ministers meet on July 15 to consider new measures to help fishermen through the crisis.

Mr Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government is determined to support our fishing communities in the face of rising fuel costs that continue to undermine the industry’s recent optimism.

“It is my hope that we can have the core of a three-year package ready in a matter of weeks. Given the urgency, we agree with the industry that the first measures must be put in place as soon as possible.”

He said the Scottish Government would provide its own support, but did not give any figures. The minister has previously promised to provide £700,000 to relieve the financial pressure threatening the sector. The sum included £400,000 for maintaining liferafts and a further £300,000 – over three years – for warranties for satellite monitoring systems.

Mallaig and North-West Fishermen’s Association has spelled out the seriousness of the fuel price crisis.

Secretary John Hermse said: “There have been meetings and more meetings, yet little action or progress has been achieved.

“The Scottish Government, which is backing the fishermen’s case, must show resolve and persuade Westminster that the industry will collapse if no aid is forthcoming.

“There is an incipient disaster on the way for fishing. If the disaster is allowed to unfold, the ultimate cost will be far greater than providing emergency aid now.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “We do not underestimate the difficulties many fishermen face.

“What is needed is a long-term approach, not just short-term assistance, that helps the fishing industry adapt to rising fuel prices.”