SCOTS FISHERS SEEK ASSURANCES

Scots fishers seek assurances. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation says it will continue to seek assurances from the UK Government that Brexit will secure fisheries control, following the EU and UK agreeing a draft agreement on their future relationship today (22 November), paving the way for a Brexit deal to be finalised this weekend.

The political declaration – outlining how trade, security and other issues will work – has been “agreed in principle”, the European Council says.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “The declaration gives the UK the power to assert its position as an independent Coastal State with full, unfettered sovereignty over our waters and natural resources.”

“However we know that several EU nations will not give up their attempts to link access with trade in order to retain absolute rights to fish around our coastline.”

“So we will continue to seek assurances from the UK Government that it will remain steadfast and will not rest until the future arrangements are signed, sealed and delivered and we secure that critical control over access to our waters and who catches what stocks, where and when.”