A helping hand for our fishing industry

It is the responsibility of any good government to promote and protect a country's national industries. In times of difficulty when they are in need of support the Government must act. This is why the SNP Government has taken firm action to sustain the Scottish fishing industry for the present and the future.

Crippling rises in fuel costs in recent months have been felt by everybody in Scotland – individuals, families and business. Amongst industries however fishing has been hit particularly hard. While most businesses can pass on rising prices to the consumer, as fish is sold for the most part at auction the fishing trade has no such option. With fuel costs now accounting for as much as half the earnings of boats, the profitability and sustainability of many businesses has been put under severe strain. Indeed in my time in the constituency this summer I have heard the concerns of a number of local people involved in the sector.

The SNP Government has taken the issues facing the fishing industry seriously and responded decisively, without delay. We have delivered a multi-million pound funding package to support the industry plus a three-year plan to ensure fishing's long term sustainability.

Through Scottish Government and EU funding the Government has made £29 million available over the next three years to help the industry adapt to the current reality of higher fuel costs.

The use of these funds will be two-fold. Firstly it will be used to fund a range of fuel efficiency measures such as grants for fishermen to buy equipment like fuel flow meters or fuel-efficient engines. This will cut down significantly on fishermen's fuel expenses and also boost the environmental sustainability of the industry.

Secondly, the funding will be used to finance marketing initiatives for the sector. Scottish fish is of the finest quality and one of our premium national products. It is vital therefore that we fully promote the product and maximise its market potential at home and abroad. With the support of Seafood Scotland and the Seafish Industry Authority resources will be channelled into boosting the brand, reputation and value of Scotland's fish.

This initiative will come as a considerable help to the industry at a time when it needs it most. But it could only be achieved with the close and solid cooperation of the fishing industry itself. The three year plan was developed through the Fuel Taskforce, made up of industry representatives. Indeed from the SNP's first day in power, our Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead has been consulting and working in partnership with fishing stakeholders to secure a better future for the industry. Relations between the Scottish Government and the industry have been fundamentally changed under the SNP. We have granted stakeholders a central role in the decision making process.

In contrast to these proactive measures the UK Government's actions so far have been vastly inadequate. The SNP Government will continue to press for their financial support and action to bring energy costs under control as this remains the responsibility of UK Ministers. However, it is clear that the days of Scotland simply waiting for Westminster to deliver for our fishing industry are well and truly over. For the first time in history Scotland has a Government that will stand up for its fishing interests and give it the support it needs to have a vibrant, healthy future.