October 2008 (Dumfries Liberal Democrats)

Dumfries Liberal Democrats <tom@therussells.org.uk>

October 2008

October 29, 2008 12:00 AM

October certainly turned out to be a month of contrasts. It started during a Fisheries Committee visit to some Greek islands and finished with one to Iceland. The contrasts were not just ones of temperature, although those were certainly noticeable enough!

But there were a number of similarities as well - for example, the concern expressed in both areas for the economy of fisheries dependent communities, with the need to protect small scale coastal fisheries, and the distance from the markets of mainland Europe.

I worked out that the mid-point between Rhodes, Tilos and Halki and Iceland's capital Reykjavik, is the German city of Hanover - some 1400 miles from each and that is just as the crow flies.

So, transport times and costs create a number of problems - something experienced by our islands here at home as well. The mayor of Tilos is looking for some solutions and I am to send him some information about Scotland's pilot project on Road Equivalent Tarrif.

Of course, Iceland is experiencing special problems at the moment and that makes their fisheries particularly important to them. We learnt a great deal about their management system and - amidst renewed debate there about joining the EU - were able to explain how the Common Fisheries Policy is in the process of being reformed.

I was lucky, whilst I was there, to catch up with some friends teaching in Reykjavik, to meet with some women entrepreneurs and with a conservationist on the subject of whaling. My report on the latter is shortly coming up for discussion, so his input, as well as that of local scientists and politicians was very welcome.

Between the two visits, parliamentary activities continued as usual. These weeks seemed extra-full of other commitments too. Our MP for East Dunbartonshire came to Brussels for a day and our MSP for Orkney down to Strasbourg, to meet with Commissioners on fisheries and agriculture issues.

Many other individuals and were with us as well. I remember vividly one Wednesday, which began at eight in the morning with a briefing on the restructuring of industry and finished at eight at night with a reception by the Committee of the Regions.

In between, as well as our Group discussions, I met up with someone from the Institute of Directors, the winners of a speaking competition, representatives of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the RSPB, some Irish fishermen and Members of the Freight Transport Association.