The SNP has challenged the Prime Minister to provide evidence for his “utterly false” claims that North Sea cod and North Sea haddock will see “big increases” in quota and a “25% increase in overall quota in just the next few years”.
SNP Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson, Deidre Brock MP, has now written to Boris Johnson to request evidence to support the specific claims he made to reporters.
Earlier this month, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation wrote to the Tory Prime Minister saying the 25% figure was not true.
The Federation’s Chief Executive, Elspeth MacDonald, wrote “you and your Government have spun a line about a 25% uplift in quota for the UK, but you know this is not true, and your deal does not deliver that.”
Scottish Government analysis in December 2020 found that Scottish fishing interests would be adversely impacted by the Tory Brexit deal with drops in the key fishing stocks, rather than the “big increase” Boris Johnson claimed.
The SNP’s Shadow DEFRA spokesperson, Deidre Brock MP, said:
“This goes to the heart, once again, of whether people in Scotland can trust Boris Johnson and his Tory government – which is why it’s essential that data to support the claim that North Sea cod and haddock will see ‘big increases’ ‘in the next few years’ is provided as soon as possible.
“If the Prime Minister cannot provide that evidence, then he must set the record straight and apologise to Scotland’s fishing industry for repeating this utterly false narrative in an incredible act of dishonesty.
“These false claims have already been rebutted by fishing industry leaders – who have every right to be livid about the trail of lies and broken promises left behind by this Tory government.
“Scotland’s fishing community has been treated appallingly by the Tories.
“It is clearer than ever, that the only way to protect Scotland’s interests, and regain the full benefits of EU membership, is to become an independent country.”
