Fishing fuel meeting 'positive'

Fishing industry leaders have said they are hopeful that a compensation package will be agreed to see them through the current fuel crisis.

Skippers were meeting in Peterhead to discuss the price of diesel, which they claim is spiralling out of control and could force some boats to tie up.

However, George McRae of the Scottish White Fish Producers' Association said a pan-European settlement was likely.

He said that fishermen would not embark on militant action over the issue.

After the meeting, Mr McRae told BBC Scotland that any settlement was not likely to involve a cut in fuel duty.

"What it's likely to involve is financial assistance for the industry," he said.

"The meeting went very well, there was positive, constructive debate.

"We are hopeful over the next few weeks that constructive discussion will produce a package that we can live with in the short-term."

Mr McRae said a pan-European settlement was likely, which took account of the interests of fishing nations across the EU.

"We're confident that this matter can be resolved positively, in the interests of the industry and the public"
George McRae

In the meantime, he said, fishermen would take part in peaceful protests - the first of which will be held in London on Tuesday, when industry leaders meet the UK Fisheries Minister.

"What we will not become involved in is unacceptable militancy, blockades and things like that because it does nothing to help the public or the industry," he said.

"We will addressing this in a sensible, constructive and very positive manner."

Mr McRae said despite the difficult conditions, there was hope for the industry.

"Before the fuel crisis arose, the industry had turned the corner and many people were making a good gross profit," he said.

"We're confident that this matter can be resolved positively, in the interests of the industry and the public."

The Scottish Government has said the high cost of fuel was costing skippers tens of millions of pounds, and was undermining the fleet at a time when it was recovering from years of quota cuts and vessel decommissioning.

It set up a Fuel Taskforce to establish an action plan to combat the impact of fuel costs on fishermen.

It met for the first time in Edinburgh on Friday and will report back to ministers in August.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Scottish Fishermen's Federation
Scottish Government
Scottish Politics
Scottish white fish producers' association
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