Marine / Carmichael welcomes food trade boost and youth mobility progress in UK-EU agreement
NORTHERN Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has welcomed measures in the new UK-EU trade agreement announced earlier today (Monday), despite grave reservations on the fishing element of the deal.
The deal to reset relationships with the EU includes an agreement to reduce checks on food exports to and from the EU, with the vast majority of routine border checks on animal and plant shipments to and from the EU to be dropped.
The new arrangements have been warmly welcomed by both the Scottish agriculture industry and salmon producing sector.
A formal UK-EU defence and security pact has also been established. The UK and the EU have agreed to co-operate further on a youth experience scheme, but this will be subject to further negotiations.
The UK is also negotiating to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme, which allows students to study or do an internship abroad.
“Notwithstanding my serious concerns about the treatment of the fishing industry – which never should have been part of these negotiations – there is genuine progress in this agreement,” the Orkney and Shetland MP said.
“It is an important step in beginning to reverse the damage done by the Tories’ botched deal in 2020.”
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has meanwhile defended the agreement and rejected claims that the fishing industry has been sold out.
In a BBC interview he claimed the deal will be positive for the fishing industry as 70 per cent of UK seafood is being sold into the EU, while the length of the agreement would provide stability for the industry.
Executive officer of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association, Daniel Lawson, saw this very differently.
“The prime minister knew full well the fishing industry’s hopes, and the potential opportunities at hand,” he said.
“He has not listened, those opportunities are wasted, and now hard-working fishermen pay the price for this submission.
“Every benefit the UK Government lists is also a benefit to the EU: which is not the mark of a triumphant negotiation.
“If the UK Government can’t see the value of our waters, they should consider why the EU has pushed so hard to secure fishing access for so long.”
Carmichael added: “Farmers and food producers – and indeed consumers – can benefit from the deal on border checks. It is entirely common sense to trade food freely with our nearest neighbours so this ought to be beneficial to everyone.
“It has been rather like pulling teeth, but I am glad that ministers are finally moving towards a youth mobility scheme with the EU.
“It is an absolute no-brainer to allow our young people to live and work across Europe, as they did previously. The government needs to stop slow rolling this scheme and get it done.”
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
