Scottish Fishermen warn UK government against EU concessions

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has urged the UK government to protect national fisheries management during upcoming negotiations with the European Union. Ahead of a UK–EU summit in Brussels scheduled for November 20, the SFF is seeking assurances that a proposed sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement—often called a veterinary agreement—will not lead to regulatory alignment that compromises UK control over its own waters.

While the Federation supports measures to reduce bureaucracy and delays for seafood exports to European markets, it maintains a strict distinction between trade arrangements and fishing rights. SFF Chief Executive Elspeth Macdonald expressed concern that fish stocks could be used as a bargaining chip, noting that the industry was already impacted by a previous agreement to extend EU access to UK waters until 2038.

SFF representatives are scheduled to meet Europe Minister Hamish Falconer to discuss these concerns and prevent the UK from falling back under elements of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).