Chamber and committees

It is the Scottish Government''s view that the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) scheme is compliant with EU law. This view is not affected by our recent decision to extend the RET pilot to spring 2012.

The Scottish Government has regular ongoing contact about ferry services in Scotland with a range of public bodies, including local authorities, VisitScotland, Regional Transport Partnerships, Public Corporations such as David MacBrayne Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, as well as individuals. Recently this has included engagement through working groups and some 45 events, including 33 public meetings, as part of the Scottish Ferries Review, as well as Road Equivalent Tariff stakeholder meetings.

It would have been premature to end the pilot before the final evaluation study had been completed and fully considered. This decision was taken within the context of ongoing consultation and engagement as set out in the answer to question S3W-36059 on 30 September 2010.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36059 on 30 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The estimated additional cost of extending the Road Equivalent Tariff pilot to spring 2012 is £6.5 million.

The decision to extend the Road Equivalent Tariff pilot was taken on the basis of consultation and engagement as set out in the answer to question S3W-36059 on 30 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The actions of Iceland and Faeroes in setting unilateral total allowable catches (TACs) for mackerel in the North East Atlantic are irresponsible and risk the future sustainability of the stock, which in turn could have serious impacts for the Scottish Pelagic Fleet. The Scottish Government has received representations from the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen''s Association welcoming the positive action we have taken to address the issue; as well as concerns expressed by some Scottish fish processors that any action we take should not deprive them of raw material for their production.

Marine Scotland has objected to the Marine Stewardship Council certification of the Faroese mackerel stock. The objection has been accepted by the independent adjudicator and the outcome of her review is awaited. The Scottish Government has also written to the Government of Faeroes in response to complaints that the Faeroese vessel Jupiter was prevented from landing mackerel at Peterhead, encouraging the Faeroese Government to return to the negotiating table.

I have written twice to Commissioner Damanaki asking her to take a strong stand against the Faroese and Icelanders, and in particular to keep the issue at the fore during Iceland''s EU accession negotiations. Following my first letter, the Commissioner wrote to Commissioner Fule (Enlargement) highlighting the problems and asking him to ensure it was discussed during the accession negotiations.

My second letter was in response to the Faeroese decision to set a TAC far in excess of their previous share. Following this, the Commissioner made a statement condemning the action and outlining possible further action that would be taken against the Faeroes if they did not reconsider their approach during the next round of negotiations. I followed up the letters with a phone conversation during which Commissioner Damanaki assured me of her commitment to resolving the issue and that she would work closely with the Scottish and UK Governments.

I have maintained close contact throughout with the UK Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon MP. He too has made parallel representations to the Commission. I have also encouraged the UK Government to explore the scope for wider diplomatic pressure to be brought to bear.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with the UK, the European Commission and other key European member states to identify how best we can ensure Iceland and Faeroes come back to the negotiating table in order to secure a deal that is fair for Scotland and protects the mackerel stock.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35770 on 9 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35770 on 9 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35770 on 9 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.