STEVENSON WELCOMES PLEDGE FOR FISHING FUEL SUPPORT

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government has met with fishing industry representatives and pledged to work with the sector to produce a three year plan to achieve a sustainable and profitable industry that has adapted to high fuel costs.

The package brokered by the Scottish Government Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead will help the Scottish fleet adjust to high fuel prices in the months and years ahead, with an aim to deliver the first measures as soon as possible.

Although the Scottish Government will make resources available to support the programme the total scope and nature of the plan is dependent on securing additional aid from the UK Government and the European Union.

The fishing industry which has long been a key sector in Banff & Buchan faces significant cost issues as a result of the soaring oil prices. While fuel costs are outwith the devolved powers of the Scottish Government there are other measures being explored that could offset the increasing running costs of boats in Banff and Buchan and throughout Scotland.Commenting on the Scottish

Government's commitment to the Fishing Industry Mr Stevenson said:

"The SNP Government is determined to support our fishing communities in the face of rising fuel costs that continue to undermine the industry's recent optimism."Although the legislative restraints imposed on the Scottish Parliament mean we are essentially fighting with one hand tied behind our backs, we will continue to work with the industry and push to deliver a range of measures that can ensure we retain a sustainable and profitable fishing industry in Banff & Buchan.

"Given the urgency it has been agreed with the industry that the first measures must be put in place as soon as possible. With the overall scope and nature of our package being dependent the outcome of the forthcoming EU Fisheries Council in Brussels and on the UK Government's willingness to provide aid we will be vocal in demanding that the EU's own package benefits Scotland and
that Scotland receives a share of the extra revenue enjoyed by the UK Treasury as a result of high fuel prices.

"Since coming to power we have be fighting to help key sectors such as fishing and we will continue to do so. In the meantime, we are seeking to bring forward resources from Scotland's existing share of the European Fisheries Fund and will seek to identify other resources that can be made available.

"I am pleased to say that in Richard Lochhead we have a Scottish Fisheries Minister who is committed to representing the interests of Scotland’s fishing industry, a commitment that was, incredible as it seems not made by the London lackeys in the previous administration".