The Scottish Government was last night urged to pass on Brexit preparation cash to the north-east to ensure fish and shellfish can be exported after EU withdrawal.
Banff and Buchan Tory MP David Duguid made the call amid concerns UK Government Brexit cash has yet to be passed on to councils by Scottish ministers.
Mr Duguid says the money was required to fund inspectors to ensure fish and shellfish destined for EU markets are compliant with environmental health laws.
Recent reports have suggested the Scottish Government has been given £93 million in Barnett consequentials from the UK Government to prepare for Brexit.
Around £8 million is destined for councils. But Mr Duguid claimed Aberdeenshire Council and other local authorities had only received £50,000 each.
The Banff and Buchan MP said: “Our local authorities need a share of that money – now – to get environmental health officers next to our fishermen on October 31.
“This is an issue that was first raised to me in February this year – at which time I informed both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils that this money should be available.
“At that time, at least £90 million had been allocated but not a penny had been passed to Scottish councils by the Scottish Government – despite some £57 million having been passed to English councils at that time.
He added: “For this iconic industry to flourish after October 31, the support needs to be there.”
With 77% of fishing exports going to Europe, it has been estimated an extra 150,000 health export certificates will be needed per year, creating a need for environmental health officers.
Mr Duguid’s plea came as MSPs on Holyrood’s Finance Committee called for more clarity on how EU funding will be replaced post Brexit.
A committee report said Scotland’s share of the funding replacement – the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – should be “no less” than the EU cash dished out to reduce economic inequality across the regions.
Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell’s spokesman said Mr Duguid’s comments were “gob-smacking”.
“Scotland did not vote for Brexit and we should not be having to spend a single penny on Brexit preparations,” the spokesman said. “This is similar to an arsonist setting fire to someone’s house and then complaining about the fire service’s efforts to extinguish the blaze.
“The fact is, the Scottish Government has allocated proportionately the same Brexit preparation funding to local authorities as the UK Government from the consequentials received to date.
“Virtually all of the £98.7 million in consequentials we have received from the UK Government have been allocated.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman confirmed it had a £50,000 allocation from the Scottish Government.
