Carmichael to lead House of Commons debate on fishing industry

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today secured a House of Commons debate in Parliament on the state of the UK fishing industry, and called on all stakeholders to “make their voice heard” ahead of the session on Thursday 22nd January

The debate will be held in the main chamber of the House of Commons, following any urgent business on the day. Over twenty Members of Parliament from six different parties supported the debate application.

In welcoming the debate, Mr Carmichael noted the wide range of topical issues for the fishing industry including spatial squeeze, year-end allocation negotiations and the outcomes of the extension of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, which can be scrutinised in the debate.

Mr Carmichael said:

“I am delighted to have secured this debate – and to have secured time in the main chamber of the House of Commons as well. This is an opportunity to bring the needs of our fishing and coastal communities back into the heart of Parliament. I am calling on anyone with a stake in the future of the fishing industry to contact my office ahead of this critical debate so that we get the widest range of evidence possible.

“The debate could not be more timely as there is a wide range of challenges facing fishing communities which deserve proper scrutiny. That includes not only the day-to-day difficulties faced by fishermen and women, but also growing concerns over spatial squeeze, ongoing trade challenges and the potential for new export opportunities, issues around safety at sea and negotiations over quota and access – including the yearly negotiations with Norway and the EU which have just passed and were seriously challenging for many sectors. That is without getting into the confusion around the government’s new Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund and the implications for communities up and down the UK.

“This debate will also be an ideal opportunity for colleagues to reflect upon the outcome of the government’s revision of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union, more than eight months on. It is no secret that agreements reached between the government and the EU last May, rolling over existing arrangements on fishing until 2038, have caused significant aggravation to the catching sector, and have intensified frustrations for the industry since the UK left the EU in 2020.

“With all this and more to cover we shall not be short on ground to cover – I would encourage everyone with an interest to make their voice heard.”