9 May 2003

MEP Ian Hudghton visited Old Rayne School in Aberdeenshire as part of the Primary 4-7 pupils' project on the European Union.

The 25 pupils provided a "hotseat" for Mr.Hudghton during a quickfire question and answer session on subjects ranging from the advantage of language learning to the imminent enlargement of the EU.

Commenting on the experience Mr. Hudghton said:

"Whether we like it or not, the EU affects daily life in Scotland in many ways, and it is commendable that our schools, as in Old Rayne, are encouraging students to become more aware of how decisions are made and to understand something of what the European Union is actually about."

6th May 2003

Expressing anger on the day the European Commission published their long-term cod recovery plan, SNP Euro-MP Ian Hudghton MEP today pledged that the SNP will continue to lead the fight for Scotland's fishing communities. The pledge came after the Commission acknowledged in a press release that their proposal "will ruin fleets such as the Scottish fleet". Mr Hudghton went on to repeat SNP demands that Scotland leads the UK delegation at forthcoming fisheries talks in Brussels.

Mr Hudghton said:

"The Commission has today finally conceded that it wants to destroy the Scottish fleet - and with it centuries of tradition. Franz Fischler claims that the Scots have had the biggest impact on cod stocks, yet allows other countries' fleets to continue the obscenity of industrial fishing unabated. This deliberate attempt to target one nation's fishing heritage is totally unacceptable.

"The Scottish fleet is being targeted because the UK can be depended upon to sell them out at every possible occasion. The UK cannot be allowed to go through with this final sell-out. The SNP will fight for our fishing communities at every possible occasion.

"In last week's Scottish election the SNP increased their share of the vote in Scotland's main fishing areas. We have been confirmed as Scotland's fishing party. And the new Scottish government must take into account the policies which the fishing communities voted for.

"Key amongst these is the demand that the Scottish Fisheries Minister leads for the UK at future Fisheries Council meetings. Whoever forms the next government must make sure that this demand is met - or be guilty of our coastal communities' final betrayal".

Notes for editors