WHITEFORD WELCOMES SNP GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed assurances from First Minister and local MP Alex Salmond that returning management of fishing grounds to regional control is at the core of what the Scottish Government believes should replace the Common Fisheries Policy.

In response to a question from North-east MSP Maureen Watt Mr Salmond confirmed that the SNP Government would work hard to bring control over historic fishing grounds to Scottish control and praised the Scottish fleet on their continued innovations.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“It is clear that the CFP’s top down, inflexible approach has been totally ineffective and I welcome the assurance that the SNP Government will seek to make management of fishing grounds more effective through regional control.

“The fishing industry itself has the most to gain from making fishing a sustainable, profitable industry and the Scottish fleet has been at the cutting edge of innovations to encourage this such as real time closures. As such, it is absolutely right that decisions over what the best measures are for Scottish fishing grounds should be taken in Scotland.

“I sincerely hope that the UK Government will follow Scotland’s lead and recognise that decentralising responsibility for historic fishing grounds must be at the heart of negotiations over what should replace the Common Fisheries Policy”.

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EURO-ACCOLADE FOR BANFFSHIRE BAKERY

Shortbread from a Portsoy bakery will be served in the European Parliament as part of events to mark St Andrew's Day this year thanks to SNP Euro-MP Ian Hudghton, who stopped off in Portsoy yesterday as part of his surgery tour.

Mr Hudghton is arranging for Donalds Bakers’ shortbread to be the ‘official’ shortbread of the European Parliament’s EFA (European Free Alliance) Group St Andrew’s Day celebrations and ‘sealed the deal’ whilst in Portsoy on Monday. The SNP MEP was accompanied by Banff & District councillor Ian Gray, who suggested Donalds for the accolade, and SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

Speaking in Portsoy, Ian Hudghton said:

“I am delighted to be able to assist the company in promoting their excellent products in this way.

“I firmly believe in giving local firms the opportunity to get their products into places where it may not always be possible to do so and I will be extremely proud to point out to guests and dignitaries in the European Parliament that the shortbread comes from my constituency.”

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:

"Donalds' has been a familiar feature in Portsoy for many years and is a traditional bakery. Ian is always looking for ways to promote North-east businesses and I was pleased to be able to accompany him as he toured Banff & Buchan holding surgeries and visiting local businesses."

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WHITEFORD PRAISES FRIENDS OF PITSLIGO CASTLE

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford has commended the Friends of Pitsligo Castle for their work after visiting Peathill Kirk as part of their ‘Doors Open day’ on Saturday.

Whilst there, the SNP candidate took the opportunity to view the historic Laird’s Loft and was shown around by Chairperson of the Friends of Pitsligo Castle, Therine Henderson.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“The Laird’s Loft is widely considered to be one of Europe’s finest examples of Jacobean woodcarving and it was fascinating to see it and hear some of the history behind it from Therine.

“The Friends of Pitsligo Castle Trust have really done a power of work in recent years and they have exciting plans to establish a centre for Jacobite History and Scottish heraldry.

“Such a centre would be a tremendous asset to the North-east and also be a huge draw for tourists, particularly given the interest in local history and family history and I wish the ‘Friends’ every success with this venture.”

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TAKES THE BISCUIT

HUDGHTON VISITS PORTSOY BAKERS

SNP Member of the European Parliament Ian Hudghton will take time out from his surgery tour of Banffshire on Monday 21 September at 3.00pm when he visits local bakers Donalds Bakers, Seafield Street, Portsoy.

Mr Hudghton is arranging for Donalds Bakers’ shortbread to be the ‘official’ shortbread of the European Parliament’s EFA Group St Andrew’s Day celebrations and will ‘seal the deal’ whilst in Portsoy on Monday. The SNP MEP will be accompanied by Banff & District councillor Ian Gray, who suggested Donalds for the accolade, and SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

Mr Hudghton commented:

“I am delighted to be able to assist the company in promoting their excellent products in this way.

“I firmly believe in giving local firms the opportunity to get their products into places where it may not always be possible to do so and I will be extremely proud to point out to guests and dignitaries in the European Parliament that the shortbread comes from my constituency.”

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