Scottish Parliament – April 30, 2025 – 5

The result of the division on motion S6M-17360, in the name of Tim Eagle, on protecting Scotland’s fishing industry, as amended, is: For 65, Against 45, Abstentions 6. Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament expresses its deep concern at reports that the UK Labour administration may agree a deal on fishing with the EU that enhances access for EU fishing vessels to UK waters without consulting the Scottish Government, despite the fishing industry being of comparatively greater importance to the Scottish economy than to the UK economy as a whole;

understands that the reported deal could result in a multi-year access guarantee as opposed to annual negotiations between the UK and the EU;

notes the need for an agreement that delivers improvements for Scotland’s fishing communities, including access to the single market for fish and seafood and long-term stability for fishing businesses;

further notes the poor record of successive UK Conservative and Labour administrations in delivering for Scotland’s coastal communities;

calls on the UK Government to engage with fishing stakeholders and the Scottish Government to ensure that Trade and Cooperation Agreement renegotiations reflect the needs and priorities of the Scottish fishing industry;

further calls on the UK Government to provide multi-annual funding that keeps pace with the equivalent EU funding that Scotland would have received as a member state, and that all marine funding be devolved;

recognises the significant economic harm created by Brexit in reducing trade and access to labour for fishing businesses, and believes that there should be an annual debate on fisheries to highlight its importance to Scotland’s economy.