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Ex-fisherman hits out at “insignificant” industry claims
by Morag Ledingham
The Buchan Observer
26th October 2003
The former chairman of Peterhead Harbour Board has hit out at claims that the catching side of the fishing industry is "insignificant".
George Forman, who has been in the industry for 60 years, condemned a leaked report from the Government's team investigating the problems facing the UK's fishing industry which stated that it was an insignificant part of the national economy.
The Prime Minister's policy advisers have recently visited the North-east to see first hand the effects of quota cuts and tie-ups which were agreed at the annual TAC meeting in Brussels last December.
The advisers were given the task of formulating a long-term strategy for sea fishing, and will make their report in December.
However, some of the findings appear to have been leaked in advance, with one of the conclusions being that the catching sector is economically unimportant to the UK as a whole.
Hitting out at the claims this week, Mr Forman said he was both " bewildered and shocked" at the allegations.
And he claimed New Labour under Prime Minister Tony Blair, was doing littler or nothing to help fishermen and the industry as a whole, survive in the future.
He told the Buchanie: "Looking back over time our industry has been going further and further down hill since 1973, when Edward Heath brought us into the Common Fisheries Policy and politicians started to interfere with our industry.
"The sad bit about it is I never thought I would live to see the finish of the British fishing industry and that's exactly what's happening to our industry today.
"Our once proud industry is now being decimated altogether under this new government.
"And, it's not only the fishing industry; let's turn to the shipbuilding industry which was one of the greatest in the world. We built ships that other countries didn't even dream about back in the 1930s. The greatest ships of all time were built on the Clyde, now there's nothing on the Clyde so they were obviously 'insignificant' as well according to this government.
"That is, I'm afraid, the record of New Labour in this modern day."
Mr Forman claimed the British shipbuilding, steel and coal mining industries were all irrelevant according to Mr Blair. And he said the car industry was also suffering at the hands of New Labour.
And he added "It's obviously the fishing industry that is important to us in the North-east, and what's happening to our industry now is absolutely criminal."
Paying tribute to the Cod Crusaders, Mr Forman said they had battled hard to fight for the future of the industry.
"Our once great industry, now struggling to survive, is being fought for by the Cod Crusaders and let me say I take off my hat to them.
"They are doing a marvellous job of fighting for the industry because our industry leaders, as far as I see, have done absolutely nothing for the industry and have contributed absolutely nothing to the survival of the industry."
Please see
Blair’s Strategy Unit brands fishing insignificant - 11th August 2003
and
Fishing is irrelevant says leaked report - 8th August 2003
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