Committees

Scottish fisheries focus of Scottish Affairs session

20 April 2021

The Scottish Affairs Committee will take stock of the impacts of Brexit for Scottish fisheries and examine UK Government efforts to intervene in a follow-up evidence session on 22 April. The Committee has previously heard evidence from the fishing and seafood industry on 4 February.

A panel of industry representatives will be followed by the Minister responsible for the UK Government’s Scottish Seafood Exports Taskforce, David Duguid as the Committee examines what the industry needs to maintain trade, and the effectiveness of support provided so far.

Background

Earlier this year, businesses in Scotland’s fisheries sector reportedly saw sales to the EU drop following delays caused by changes in UK-EU trading relations after Brexit. Before 2021, EU business had been worth over £1bn to the sector.

On 19 January, the UK Government announced that £23m will be made available to help ease the financial losses of small and medium businesses in the sector. Although generally welcomed in the fisheries sector, the fund has been criticised by key players for being insufficient in scale and improperly targeted.

Purpose of the session

Topics likely to be covered during the evidence session are:

  • Non-tariff barriers to trade and issues exporting to the EU;
  • assessment of Scottish and UK Government support, including the £23m Seafood Disruption Support Scheme;
  • efforts made by the UK Government to reducing red tape for businesses exporting to the EU, including checks, health certificates and groupage; and
  • the impact of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and fishing quotas.

Witnesses

Thursday 22 April

At 11.30am

  • Donna Fordyce, CEO, Seafood Scotland;
  • Elspeth MacDonald, CEO, Scottish Fisherman’s Federation;
  • Hamish MacDonnell, Director of Strategic Engagement, Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation.

At 12.30pm (approx.)

  • David Duguid MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Scotland Office;
  • Nick Leake, Deputy Director and Head of Policy Division, Scotland Office.

Further information

Image: PA