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Post by SHARK on Apr 21, 2009 21:48:15 GMT 1
Scots fisheries plan raises fundamental questions.
TODAY’S consultation document on the future shape of Scotland’s fish quota and licensing management system contains a number of elements which raise more questions than answers, a leading industry figure said today.
George MacRae, the secretary of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association, said that, for example, it was important to define exactly what, for example, an English purchaser of Scottish quota would have to do to illustrate a direct economic link with Scotland in future.
“The existing position allows someone in England to buy Scottish quota with no strings attached and what ‘strings’ are now being attached? It is not clear.”
He went on: “My initial reaction is that some of the proposals raise more questions than answers but the unilateral action of the Scottish Government last Friday to introduce a moratorium on quota transfer outside Scotland suggests that not only is the Scottish Government acting in an authoritarian way but also suggests that the actual extent of the free market in terms of quota trading within the UK is, at best, under threat.”
Mr MacRae said that his association would hold as many meetings as they needed to ensure their members were fully aware of the implications of the proposals.
“And the association will be seeking assurances from the Scottish Government that no more unilateral action will be taken without full and detailed consultation in advance to ensure that the industry itself is satisfied that such action is in their best interests.”
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