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Fishing industry increasingly politicized as UK prime minister visits Peterhead
As the latest Brexit deadline creeps nearer, the UK's seafood sector is becoming increasingly politicized and drawn into inter-party spats.
Last week the UK prime minister Boris Johnson visited the Scottish fishing harbor of Peterhead, with Scottish Seafood Association chief executive Jimmy Buchan welcoming assurances that fresh seafood would not be held up at the border after Brexit.
At a round table meeting with industry representatives following a tour of Peterhead fish market, and a short spin around the harbor in the whitefish vessel Opportunus, Buchan stated in a statement afterwards:
“The particular question I put to the prime minister was: ‘will our fresh fish flow through Dover-Calais on Nov. 1?’ He gave us his assurance that the fish will get through, no restrictions. He has categorically said that and he has gone on record as saying that."
“I think it is the reassurance that the processors badly needed, because that is one of their biggest concerns. We need to keep the supply chain going. And we will be taking the prime minister at his word," said Buchan.
Meanwhile, Chris Davies -- chair of the European parliament's fisheries committee, and member of the Liberal Democrat party -- slammed Johnson for "ignoring realities" in his Brexit policy in a separate statement.
“Boris Johnson’s visit to Peterhead exposes the sheer hypocrisy of his Brexit policy," he said. "His claims that Brexit will create new opportunities for fishermen pay no regard to the reality that the majority of fish we catch is sold in the European market. These sales will be at risk if we leave the EU with no deal."
Davies suggested Johnson should have explained to fishermen how he intends to transport fish to Boulogne in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
"This 'just-in-time' supply chain means fish must be in France within 12 hours of leaving Peterhead. That journey can only just be completed in time now – how does he suppose a massive border delay will solve that issue?"
Davies went on to say Johnson has ignored the positive influence the UK has had in revising the common fisheries policy. "The British fishing fleet is now the most profitable in Europe, and the great majority of fish stocks are now sustainable and in a healthier state than for decades."
"These are real achievements, and for the UK to turn its back on the improvements it has helped make to the European Fisheries Policy just shows how absurd Brexit is."
He further claimed Johnson's intention to prorogue parliament before Oct. 31 would "kill off his own government's fisheries bill, and control of British waters post-Brexit".
“Coastal communities must understand that Brexiteers, and their policies, are not on the side of fishermen. They will use British fishing as a bargaining chip to strike any future trade deal."
Källa: Undercurrent News