Federation condemns Russian ban on seafood

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief Bertie Armstrong has hit out at a Russian ban on EU seafood imports imposed as a retaliatory measure to Western sanctions.
Mr Armstrong said that denial of the Russian market would have “extremely serious implications for both fishermen and fish processors.

He said that the industry would be in close contact with Scottish and UK governments to discuss support measures for the industry “if required”. He called on Russia to come to the negotiating table.

Mr Armstrong said today: “Although we have yet to examine the detail of these retaliatory sanctions, we are at this stage extremely concernedabout the impact they will have on our mackerel fleet.

“We recognise that this is a serious geopolitical issue, but the downstream impact will hit a number of business sectors including Scottish fishing.

“Russia is a very important export market for Scottish mackerel, and the denial of access would have extremely serious implications for both mackerel fishermen and the onshore processing sector.

“We will, of course, be keeping in close contact with the Scottish and UK governments to monitor the situation as it develops, and also to discuss any support measures for the Scottish seafood sector should they be required. The solution to this international dispute is for Russia to come to the negotiating table.”