Impact of Fisheries Bill for Scottish fishing industry examined

• Inquiry: Fisheries Bill hearing
• Watch Parliament TV: Fisheries Bill hearing

Brexit impact on fishing policies

Following Brexit, the UK will no longer be part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It will become an independent coastal state and be fully responsible for managing fisheries in the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 miles.

This will include setting total allowable catches (TACs) and determining who has access to fisheries. The UK Fisheries Bill is currently being considered in a Public Bill Committee in Westminster.

The Committee is accepting written submissions for this one-off hearing. The deadline for submissions is 17 December 2018.

• Submit to the inquiry here

Purpose of the session

The Scottish Affairs Committee will examine the implications of the UK's new fisheries policy for Scotland, including issues such as quotas for fishing vessels, known as “fishing opportunities”, access to Scottish waters and environmental sustainability.

The Committee will begin by hearing directly from representatives of Scottish fishermen, seafood processors and producers, and environmental campaigners such as the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and Scottish Environment Link. The Committee will then question the Scottish and UK fisheries Ministers on the implications of the Fisheries Bill for Scotland.

Witnesses

Wednesday 9 January 2019, Room TBC

At  9.30am - Stakeholders

• Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive, Scottish Fishermen's Federation
• Alex Kinninmonth, Head of Marine Policy, RSPB Scotland/Scottish Environment Link
• John Anderson, Chief Executive, Scottish Fishermen's Organisation

At 10.45am - Scottish Government via video-link (until 11.50am)

• Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy

At 3.00pm - UK Government

• George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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