This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister welcomes progress in fishing talks
22/11/2005
Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie today welcomed continued progress in negotiations that will determine fishing opportunities for 2006.
Following the November meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers in Brussels Mr Finnie said:
"As long as cod stocks continue to be at risk then these negotiations will always be difficult.
"We will not support any proposal that puts the viability of stocks at risk. Equally we will not support reductions on healthy stocks that would threaten the viability of the Scottish fishing industry.
"There has now been some welcome movement away from unrealistic proposals on haddock quota. And an acknowledgement that the white fish fleet is not wholly responsible for the lack of progress in cod recovery.
"We will continue to press the Commission to secure a deal which protects the health of our stocks and provides opportunities for a profitable industry."