Moray MP Douglas Ross has urged UK Ministers to work with the Scottish Government to resolve issues with seafood exports and provide “vital” compensation for the sector.
Businesses in Moray and across the country have faced delays at a central hub in Larkhall established by the Scottish Government to process exports to the EU.
Mr Ross raised the issue during an urgent question session with DEFRA Secretary George Eustice in the House of Commons today.
The Scottish Conservative MP said one local skipper from Buckie reported that he has only made half of what he needs to cover his costs from his catch this week due to depressed market prices.
Mr Ross urged the two governments to work together and for compensation to be paid out to those affected.
In response, Mr Eustice said that he was holding talks with logistics firm DFDS, which is running the Larkhall site, as well as Food Standards Scotland and Scottish Government Ministers. The Secretary of State said additional support has been offered from the UK side to the Scottish Government should it be required.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“The UK and Scottish governments must work together to resolve these issues that are having such an impact on seafood exports.
“There is no getting away from the major problems that the sector is facing. This should all have been resolved long before now, as deal or no deal, these problems could have been anticipated and resolved long before they started to impact fishermen.
“Businesses here in Moray are seeing the effect of the delays at Larkhall are having on market prices. One fisherman has told me that is only making half of what he needs to cover his costs.
“I have been contacted by many others locally and indeed across Scotland who are suffering due to these hold-ups.
“I welcome the offer from the UK Government to provide additional support to the Scottish Government and DFDS to help with the issues currently being experienced at Larkhall.
“It is also clear that financial compensation for the sector from the UK Government is vital and must be delivered as quickly as possible.
“This is an issue I will continue to raise on behalf of our fishermen and the industry here in Moray.”