Crunch talks on the impact of Brexit on West Coast fishermen will be held today between Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil and UK Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes.
SNP Westminster fisheries spokesman Mr MacNeil said urgent action is needed with boats being left tied up at the pier due to crew shortages, particularly of Filipinos.
Mr MacNeil will appeal to Ms Nokes to allow non-European Economic Area (EEA) workers to fill the labour gaps after the UK Government scrapped concessionary scheme for non-EEA workers on fishing boats in domestic waters in 2012
“I will make the case to the Immigration Minister tomorrow and hope she will listen to the pleas from the industry,” he said.
“The policy of the hostile Home Office is damaging the economy of the West Coast by failing to support the fishing industry which also has an impact on onshore jobs.
“The crew shortage issue can be remedied easily by reverting to the previous scheme which allowed non-EEA workers to work on west coast fishing boats.”
Crunch talks to be held on the impact of Brexit on West Coast fishermen
