Scottish Islands Federation
and The 2009 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS
QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATES:
Responses from Candidates,
Catherine Stihler, MEP, and David Martin, MEP.
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Thank you for
sending the SIF European Manifesto. I am responding
on behalf of myself and my Scottish Labour MEP
colleague, David Martin.
We welcome
the manifesto which highlights key issues for the
Scottish islands.
The
Scottish islands are by nature peripheral and
experience particular problems arising from location
and it is vital that EU regional development
acknowledges this.
We endorse
points 1, 5, 6, and 7.
However,
on points 2 on the economy and 3 on shipping
, although we
have a track record of backing lifeline island ferry
routes, we must ensure that any special
consideration given to islands does not breach state
aid regulations, and on point 4, whilst recognising
the importance of fishing to island communities, we
also have to recognise that action has to be taken
to restore fish stocks.
Yours
sincerely,
Catherine Stihler, MEP, and David Martin, MEP.
Catherine Stihler, MEP for
Scotland
Political Adviser: Dr
Catriona Burness
European Parliament
A13G215/217
Rue Wiertz
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium
Tel 00 32 2 284 5462
Fax 00 32 2 284 9462
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