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Fishing leaders meet new minister Fishing leaders meet new minister
(about 2 hours later)
Scotland's fishing leaders have held their first formal talks with new Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead.Scotland's fishing leaders have held their first formal talks with new Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead.
Fishermen welcomed moves to involve them more closely with government. The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) welcomed the move to involve them more closely with government and described the meeting as constructive.
Mr Lochhead had his first formal meeting with his UK counterpart Ben Bradshaw in London on Wednesday and said it was the start of a new era. The new minister will be supported by the SFF at EU talks next week.
The new minister met leaders of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation in Edinburgh and they will support the minister at EU talks next week. On Wednesday, Mr Lochhead had his first formal meeting with his UK counterpart Ben Bradshaw in London and said it was the start of a new era.
The presence of SFF representatives at the fisheries talks in Luxembourg will be the first time they have been officially involved at such a high level. Mr Lochhead's visit to Whitehall was discussed during the meeting with the SFF along with the European Union talks to be held in Luxembourg next week.
The presence of SFF representatives at the talks will be the first time they have been officially involved at such a high level.
The issue for us is to see evidence that the needs of the Scottish fishing industry are taken into proper account Bertie ArmstrongSFF
Bertie Armstrong, the SFF chief executive, said: "The real issue for us is to see evidence that the needs and aspirations of the Scottish fishing industry are taken into proper, realistic account in decision-making and policy formation."
He said they also discussed the "immediate issues" affecting the industry including the prospects for next year's catching opportunity in key Scottish fisheries.
"Following today's talks, we are confident that the first steps in the right direction are being taken," Mr Armstrong said.
The SNP administration at Holyrood has said it would like to take the lead at future European Union talks, as most UK fishing takes place in Scottish waters.The SNP administration at Holyrood has said it would like to take the lead at future European Union talks, as most UK fishing takes place in Scottish waters.
This will be rejected by the UK Government.This will be rejected by the UK Government.
However, a joint statement issued by the two administrations, after the meeting of Mr Lochhead and Mr Bradshaw, said they believed they could work together for the benefit of Scotland and the UK.However, a joint statement issued by the two administrations, after the meeting of Mr Lochhead and Mr Bradshaw, said they believed they could work together for the benefit of Scotland and the UK.
The first meeting between a member of the new Scottish cabinet and a UK minister was described as ''cordial and constructive''.The first meeting between a member of the new Scottish cabinet and a UK minister was described as ''cordial and constructive''.