The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has insisted Scotland must abandon the EU Common Fisheries Policy.
The organisation made its views clear in the aftermath of a heated row at Holyrood over an SNP split between fishing and EU membership.
Banff and Buchan MP, Eilidh Whiteford, and Angus MP, Mike Weir, among other Nationalist politicians, have signed a pledge to ditch the controversial policy.
However, First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, insisted her party’s position was for an independent Scotland to seek full EU membership – which would include signing up to the CFP.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, maintained the two positions were incompatible and asked the SNP leader to clarify her stance.
Ms Sturgeon responded: “The SNP has been consistent over many years in our criticisms of the common fisheries policy and very clear about our intentions to see it fundamentally reformed.
“We know that the Tories are lining up to sell out fishing again, because the Brexit white paper makes it clear that fishing will just be a negotiating chip in the Brexit talks.
“The SNP stands up for fishermen; Tories sell them out.”
Ms Davidson retorted: “Nicola Sturgeon is treating the electorate like fools. She thinks she can face both ways on fishing, the EU and independence, promising all things to all people.
“But Scotland’s fishing communities can see straight through this approach, and won’t forgive the SNP for trying to ignore the EU referendum and force them back into the hated CFP.”
A Scottish Fishermen’s Federation spokesman ruled out a halfway house with an independent Scotland at the top table for negotiations over CFP reform.
He said: “It’s clear the conclusion of the industry is that we need to come out of the CFP and that means coming out of the EU.
“That is what’s going to get us away from the straitjacket of the CFP.
“It is absolutely the bottom line.”
Meanwhile, north-east MSP, Liam Kerr, took Ms Sturgeon to task over SNP politicians making statements to the effect that the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures were inaccurate.
He said: “Will she put on record that GERS are official statistics, produced by her Government to the highest standards, and people who denigrate the figures – including those in the chamber – are simply wrong?”
Ms Sturgeon said: “GERS does not tell us anything much about the finances of an independent Scotland.
“Yes, they are official statistics; official statistics are known for being high quality and of public value.
“They are underpinned by a range of estimates, as everyone is aware, and, crucially, they reflect the position in Scotland – as the Fraser of Allander institute said – under current constitutional arrangements, not under independence.”
