Scottish Fishing Industry 2023-02-22
2023-02-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the adequacy of government support for Scotland's fishing industry, particularly in relation to energy costs and infrastructure.
What assessment has been made of the adequacy of Government support for the Scottish fishing industry? I welcome the response of my hon. Friend. I also welcome the UK Government's decision to include seafood processing in ongoing energy support beyond April. However, even before last year's increases in energy costs, brought on by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there was already support for energy intensive industries to other food processors, such as pork, poultry and milled grain, but not fish.
May I first pay tribute to my hon. Friend's work in championing the seafood sector in Scotland? I look forward to visiting his constituency next month to chair the Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group where I will meet industry representatives. The UK Government's energy intensive industries compensation scheme supports industries exposed to significant risk of carbon leakage and is targeted at the most electricity-intensive sectors that are competing in international markets.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific issue of seafood processing not being included in pre-existing support for other food processors was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question continues to explore the adequacy of government support, focusing on energy costs and infrastructure projects.
I welcome the response of my hon. Friend. I also welcome the UK Government's decision to include seafood processing in ongoing energy support beyond April. However, even before last year's increases in energy costs, brought on by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there was already support for energy intensive industries to other food processors, such as pork, poultry and milled grain, but not fish.
May I first pay tribute to my hon. Friend's work in championing the seafood sector in Scotland? I look forward to visiting his constituency next month to chair the Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group where I will meet industry representatives. The UK Government's energy intensive industries compensation scheme supports industries exposed to significant risk of carbon leakage and is targeted at the most electricity-intensive sectors that are competing in international markets.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific issue of seafood processing not being included in pre-existing support for other food processors was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the economic performance and benefits of devolved versus independent structures for fisheries, using examples from Ireland and other regions.
To progress the structure for fisheries in Scotland, surely we have to move on from devolved Scotland to independent Scotland? I am sure the Minister can see that in Ireland there is independent Ireland in the Republic, and devolved Ireland in Northern Ireland. Which does he think is delivering better economically and for fisheries in Ireland: the devolved version or the independent version?
I am very confident that for all fishing communities across the United Kingdom it is this Government who are delivering best. I am clear that none of the fishing communities in Scotland wishes to go back into the common fisheries policy, which the SNP advocates.
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Assessment & feedback
The question about comparative economic performance was not addressed; instead, the answer focused on a different policy issue.
Response accuracy