SNP BACKS INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO SAVE TRADITIONAL FISHING RIGHTS

ALLIES IN, COPENHAGEN, BERLIN, TALINN - BUT NOT LONDON
WHITEFORD DEFENDS HISTORIC FISHING RIGHTS AGAINST TORY PLAN

SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has today (Tuesday) welcomed support from various European governments for the principle of EU nations retaining historical fishing rights according to traditional practices.

The governments of Germany, Denmark and Estonia have all given backing to the principle of "relative stability" whereby fishing opportunities are allocated to states according to historical catches. Additionally, from outwith the EU the Norwegian government has backed the principle.

The international support is in contrast to the position of both the UK Government and the Tory Party who have in recent weeks called for the scrapping of historical rights, which has been strongly criticised by local SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

Ian Hudghton commented:

"The SNP believes that powers over fisheries should be returned to Europe's fishing nations. Coastal communities around Europe have depended on their traditional fishing waters for generations - and those historical benefits must be retained.

"Fortunately the Scottish government are not alone in seeking to protect the principle of relative stability. Whilst both Labour and the Tories are preparing to sell Scotland's fishermen out once again, an alliance of northern nations is emerging intent on protecting their fishing heritage.

"The SNP have long been the champions of Scotland's fishing communities. As the process of European fisheries reform gets under way, the SNP are pledged to defend Scotland's historical fishing rights in Holyrood, Westminster and Brussels."

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:

"The next couple of years are going to be vital for the Scottish fishing industry. The reform of European fisheries policy offers us an opportunity to bring powers back to where they belong - with the individual fishing nations.

"It's important that Scotland has allies in other European countries who are as determined to protect each nation's historical rights. Both the Tories and Labour have indicated that they want an abolition of relative stability - but the SNP fully intends to fight for our coastal communities.

"Scotland needs champions who are prepared to stand up for our fishing industry. Strong SNP voices will ensure that Scotland's voice is heard - and our traditional rights are safeguarded."

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CABINET SECRETARY'S BREAKFAST WITH BANFFSHIRE BUSINESS

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment Richard Lochhead will be visiting Banff on Monday to hear the views of local businesses and take questions on government policy.

Mr Lochhead is visiting at the invitation of SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and will be speaking at a Business Breakfast being held under the auspices of Banffshire Business at the Fife Lodge Hotel, Banff at 7.00am on Monday, 15th March.

Welcoming Mr Lochhead's visit to Banff, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"I am delighted that we have been able to secure the attendance of the Cabinet Secretary responsible for two of Banffshire's most important sectors – fishing and farming.

"The SNP Government has been extremely pro-active in helping small businesses through the Small Business Bonus Scheme which has seen business rates removed or greatly reduced for thousands of North-east businesses. But, in the teeth of a UK recession, it is important that local businesses take the opportunity to tell those at the heart of Government of their experiences and their view of how Holyrood can help shelter the local economy from the 'Downing Street Downturn'."

John Cox of Banffshire Business added:

"Banffshire Business has organised two or three of these business breakfasts which have all been highly successful. They provide some excellent networking opportunities for local businesses in the absence of Banffshire having its own chamber of commerce and I very much look forward to Monday's event."

To register your attendance please telephone 01261 812436 or e-mail info@banffshirebusiness.com

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SNP MPs WILL PUSH FOR FAIR FUEL REGULATOR

Latest figures from the AA revealing that drivers have endured recent petrol tax increases up to five times higher than in other European countries, show why the SNP is right to propose a fuel duty regulator says SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

According to the AA the burden of fuel duty and VAT on a tank of petrol in the UK has gone up by 11.46% since the Pre-Budget Report at the end of November 2008. This compares to just 2.23% in Austria and an average increase for 10 mainstream European countries, including France, Germany, and The Netherlands, of 5.07%.

Commenting Eilidh Whiteford said:

“We all know that Labour has admitted that they will yet again use fuel tax to hammer household motorists and hauliers to pay for their bank bail out.

“However these latest figures from the AA confirm that Labour and Gordon Brown have learnt nothing from their years in government.

“Sky high fuel taxes imposed by Gordon Brown, and latterly Alistair Darling, are indiscriminate and effectively a poll tax on wheels. In rural areas like Banff & Buchan where many people rely on their cars this is particularly unacceptable.

“And it’s not just hauliers who suffer but ordinary families struggling to run a car for normal use. The effects of sky high fuel taxes also impact on prices in the stores with costs rising to deliver food and other products to the shops.

“It shows how much Labour has become out of touch that they should target ordinary people in this way to pay for the bail out of a banking system failure they helped create.

“I can categorically say that SNP MPs will continue to oppose Labour's arbitrary fuel tax hikes and propose the introduction of a fuel duty regulator at the Budget to ensure price stability as well as lower fuel taxes for remote areas.

“An oil rich nation like Scotland should be reaping the benefits from our offshore resources – not watching as North Sea revenues flow into a black hole in the London Treasury coffers while the Scottish budget is slashed.”

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WHITEFORD WELCOMES POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM LOCHHEAD ON COLLAPSED FARM BUILDINGS PLEA

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the positive response from Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead for support for those of Scotland's farmers who have been struggling to cope with the effects of collapsed farm buildings.

Dr Whiteford and Highlands MSP Dave Thompson wrote to Mr Lochhead recently urging support for those affected by the recent severe weather which had led to buildings collapsing under the weight of snow. Mr Lochhead has now responded positively with details of a support scheme.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“Scotland’s farmers did an excellent job to carry on through the bad weather and in many cases it was farmers efforts that saw remote roads and paths cleared or cars pulled out of the snow.

“SNP MPs and MSPs have always championed the needs of Scotland’s farmers and as they face cost pressures after the difficult winter we will continue to do so.

"I am therefore delighted that my colleague Richard Lochhead has moved so quickly to set up this support scheme which will assist those farmers who have been most badly affected by the recent severe weather and have lost buildings as a result.

"Once again, we see it is the SNP in Government which are responding to the needs of our rural communities and the farming industry."

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