The Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture has held productive discussions with his counterpart in the Scottish Government.
Richard Ronan MHK met Richard Lochhead MSP, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh yesterday (Wednesday).
The Minister and Cabinet Secretary talked about their respective fisheries strategies – the Isle of Man’s ‘Future Fisheries’ and Scotland’s ‘Inshore Fisheries Strategy’ – which were published in 2015.
They discussed the Isle of Man and Scotland’s mutual interest in securing a sustainable queen scallop fishery in the Irish Sea, which is important to the economy of both countries.
The Isle of Man and Scotland are among five Irish Sea fishing jurisdictions that are signatories to a Fisheries Management Agreement that governs the Island’s territorial seas.
The two countries are represented on the Queen Scallop Working Group, which is examining ways of ensuring the long-term future of the fishery amid declining stocks.
The Minister also briefed Mr Lochhead on progress being made on ‘Food Matters’, his Department’s strategy to grow the value of Isle of Man food and drink by £50 million.
The Minister and Mr Lochhead identified areas where their countries can work together to improve their respective food sectors’ profitability.
‘The Isle of Man and Scotland share a common interest in safeguarding and growing fishing and food, traditional industries that are of great importance to our economies today,’ said Minister Ronan.
‘It was beneficial to sit down with our nearest neighbour and discuss progress and exchange ideas on these subjects.’
Mr Lochhead said: ‘There are many cultural and historical links between Scotland and the Isle of Man and I was pleased to have a productive meeting with Minister Ronan.
‘We discussed a number of issues of mutual interest including fisheries and food and it was helpful to be able to discuss progress and developments.’
