MP claims Fisheries Bill can "chart and new course for the industry"
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A new Fisheries Bill can chart a new course for the industry and ‘right the wrongs’ of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has said.
MPs backed the UK Fisheries Bill at its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday night.
The legislation is the first of its kind in 40 years – taking control of fishing policy as the UK leaves the EU and the CFP.
The bill lays the foundations for the future management of stocks and will end the current automatic right for EU vessels to fish in British waters.
It sets out legal requirements for sustainability and hands new powers to the Scottish Parliament on fisheries management.
Scottish Conservative MPs backed the bill while SNP MPs voted against it.
Mr Duguid said: “The seafood industry is hugely important to Banff and Buchan – and indeed to coastal communities all over the UK.
“The UK Government has worked closely with representatives from the fisheries sector throughout this process.
“This is the first piece of legislation of its kind for four decades and gives us the chance to right the wrongs of the disastrous Common Fisheries Policy.
“I am very pleased to see MPs back this Bill at its second reading.
“Not only does this allow us to chart a new course for UK fishing, but it also hands fresh powers to the Scottish Parliament.
“That makes the SNP’s opposition to progression of this Bill in the House of Commons last night truly baffling.
“The Nationalists are betraying the wishes of Scottish fishermen and would rather keep the industry shackled to the EU and the hated Common Fisheries Policy.”
