Scotland fishing leader urges meeting with Prime Minister after EU trade deal

The Prime Minister must meet Scottish fishermen to explain the recent UK-EU trade deal, the industry body has said.

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) says ministers have been “insulting and patronising” about their concerns over the deal.

The EU trade agreement was hailed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as a “win-win” for both the UK and the bloc, but groups representing fishing vessels were dismayed that a further 12 years of access to UK waters for EU boats was allowed.

UK ministers have pointed out that the deal has been welcomed by Salmon Scotland, which represents the salmon farming industry, who have praised it for slashing red tape for exports.

SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald has written a new letter to the Prime Minister on behalf of eight member associations comprising more than 400 vessels.

Ms Macdonald said: “It was both insulting and patronising to hear you and your ministers tell us this was a good deal for fishing, because Scottish farmed salmon might, if the EU decides to play ball, be exported without the need for export health certificates at some undetermined point in the future.

“If your government had bothered to understand anything about the fishing industry you would know that farmed salmon and wild capture fisheries are completely separate industries.

“You also told us, again patronisingly, that we should welcome the stability of a 12-year agreement on access, that you know what’s best for us.

“Yet we have spent months telling your ministers that stability in terms of access to waters is the worst possible position for the UK.”

She continued: “It was the instability of the EU’s access to UK waters from 2026 that was our trump card, and you have not only thrown it away, but ripped it up into tiny pieces before doing so.”

Her letter ends with a plea to “do us the decency of meeting with us” to hear concerns first-hand.

A UK Government spokesman said: “We have secured a deal that provides stability and protection for the British fishing industry, with no increase to the quota that EU fishers are allowed to catch in British waters.

“The deal allows UK vessels’ continued access to EU waters – worth £80m per year to fishing communities.

“On top of that, we are also investing £360 million over the next 12 years into the fishing industry.”

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has previously said the deal “gives 12 years of certainty and stability for the industry” and “not one more fish will be taken out of Scottish waters by an EU trawler as part of this deal”.