Industry Must Keep Its Eye On The Ball – Fishupdate.com
Industry Must Keep Its Eye On The Ball Fishing Monthly Published: 10 June, 2002
A FISHERMENS spokesman said today that it is crucial that the industry keeps its eye on the ball as fish policy reforms begin to unravel.
And Scottish White Fish Producers Association secretary George MacRae said that the Scotttish industrys increased presence in Brussels was a sign it was determined to battle against any more concessions being made against its interests.
He added: It is so important we get this right and I have no doubt that between now and the end of the year, there is going to be an increasing level of political skulllduggery in Europe with people trying to do deals in smoke-filled rooms
For example the issue of some nations trying to keep new vessel subsidies was a crucial one, but if these states succeeded in retaining this kind of help, there then had to be a level playing field allowing the UK access to the same kind of aid.
There is no logical reason for the continuation of subsidies but it has to be said that if they are retained, then we must have the same funding access.We must stay on focus overall,and tomorrows fisheries council when the deep-water deal will be on the agenda is a classic example of that.