Lochhead gives way
May 17th, 2009 | By ssacn | Category: Scottish Government Newsaccording to the Scottish Liberal Democrats who have claimed he has been forced into a "humiliating climb down" over a fisheries management issue.
Commenting on the news that a joint UK ministerial group is to be set up to take forward reforms on new fish quota and licensing arrangements Scottish Liberal Democrat Fisheries spokesperson Liam McArthur said Mr Lochhead has spent months insisting his quota management plans are legal, despite the industry and others telling him otherwise.
"He has now been forced into a humiliating climb-down.
"This working group should have been set up last autumn. All that has happened since is that Scotland’s fishermen have been left in the dark about what the future holds in terms of quota management and licensing.
"SNP Ministers need to recognise that standing up for Scotland’s vital fishing industry is not the same as using it for your own, narrow political ends."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and MSP for Shetland Tavish Scott added:
"Richard Lochhead talks of the damaging effect that disagreement and uncertainty over this issue has had on Scotland’s fishing industry. This is rich coming from the Minister who has done more than anyone to create that situation.
"The issues of quota management and licensing are fundamental to the future viability of our fishing fleet, and too important to be used by SNP Ministers as a political football in their grudge match with Westminster."
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