Conservative MEP Helps the Common Fisheries Policy Net Scottish Sea Angling

The motion

That the Parliament notes with concern the actions of Scottish Conservative MEP, Struan Stevenson, in signing a resolution in the European Parliament that called for recreational sea angling to be included as part of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP); understands that Mr Stevenson gave his support to the resolution that noted that recreational fishing "has not been tackled in the Commission's proposals presented on 13 July 2011, stresses that it should be distinctly addressed within the CFP reform process”; considers Mr Stevenson’s actions to be a betrayal to all who enjoy recreational sea angling in Scotland; is concerned that, as recently as 19 January 2009, Mr Stevenson made clear his own concern at the possibility that sea angling could be brought under Article 47 of a proposal relating to control and compliance under the CFP that would consider fish caught by recreational anglers as part of a member state’s quota and that Mr Stevenson considered that proposal to be targeting “an ancient hobby”; considers that Mr Stevenson’s latest position as an ostensible proponent of greater powers for the CFP represents a contradiction to his own comments, the will of the Scottish angling community and Scottish Conservative policy; notes the finding in the 2009 Scottish Government-commissioned report, Technical Report: Economic Impact of Recreational Sea Angling in Scotland, that identified “significant potential for growth in Scottish sea angling” but that the industry was fragile and susceptible to decline; considers Mr Stevenson’s latest input in the debate on reform of the CFP to be damaging and ill-considered; understands that, in general, Scottish and UK fishing interests would be better represented in the EU with a stronger, independent Scottish voice cooperating with the UK whenever it is in the two nations' mutual interests to do so, and calls on Mr Stevenson to reconsider his support for the position outlined in the European Parliament resolution.

No recorded vote on this motion. Most motions are never debated, and many that are debated are agreed without a division. Vote records are published from 2011.

SNP 21

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

No contribution in the Official Report cites S4M-02158 by reference.