Isles MP Angus Brendan MacNeil is calling on fishing interests to lobby the UK Government in light of the fallout from the Home Office’s hostile campaign.

Mr MacNeil is particularly focussing on The Secretary of State for DEFRA Michael Gove, The Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell, Scotland Office Minister Lord Duncan and The Home Office, who need to take action on the crew shortage in the west coast of Scotland fishing industry and allow non EEA crew to come to work here.

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“I worry that the fishing industry may have been affected by the hostile ethos once prevalent at The Home Office.  I know people personally who are talking of selling their fishing boats because of the lack of crew and it is time that non EEA skilled seamen were allowed to come to work in the west coast of Scotland.

“Fishing sector and related parties from the west coast of Scotland certainly want to have these seamen working on the fishing boats, which will benefit communities, the catching sector and the processing sector.

“DEFRA and the Home Office need to up their efforts, show some support for the west of Scotland fishing industry and find a solution – it is imperative that this happens sooner rather than later before fishing boats are sold.”

ENDS