Scottish Islands Federation
and The 2009 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS
QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATES:
Responses from Candidates, click here
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How will you ensure that the Scottish islands’ needs are understood and well represented in Europe ?
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Through its membership of ESIN (the European Small Islands Network), SIF has been lobbying for a better understanding of the specific issues pertinent to the Scottish islands, and the smaller islands in particular, especially those not represented by their own unitary council.
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Together with ESIN, whose aims are to help developing cooperation and exchanges between islanders and influence EU Policies in favour of small islands, SIF has produced the following Islands European Manifesto.
The Scottish Islands Federation,
A voice for the Scottish Islands in Europe
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Island Affairs Committee : DG Regio has two priorities for its programme of work : Territorial Cohesion and the future of the Regional Policy. SIF supports ESIN’s proposal to set up an ISG (Inter-service Group) or Islands Affairs Committee as the mean for an integrated approach which would ensure islands‘ needs are being considered appropriately.
2. Island economy: To ensure the sustainability of island activities, the special non-market position of island economies must be taken into account. SMEs and VSEs should receive appropriate aid, such as higher rates of subsidies granted to projects on islands. This could enable cost overruns related to insularity to be integrated without distorting the market, seeing the limited amount of investments made on islands.
2. Shipping sector: Island transport quality and cost is vital, because of its "lifelines" nature linking the islands to the mainland. Transport activities are also a significant source of permanent jobs for island communities. However, the rules of free competition (calls for tenders) imposed on local companies can threaten this link and the related jobs. There must be specific measures to protect islanders' interests in terms of shipping (island-mainland links), such as the extension of RET to all islands in Scotland.
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Traditional island fisheries activities: It is hard to measure the value of traditional island fisheries activities because they go beyond simple economic consequences. These activities provide a structuring effect and contribute to balanced socio-economic situations on islands. To ensure their sustainability, the CFP must acknowledge how vitally important they are to islands and take account of their geographical specificities.
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Protection of island communities: Island communities are very fragile with respect to economic and structural changes. Maintaining permanent inhabitants with improved access to public services, like housing and jobs, is essential to ensure that the islands’ biodiversity and ecosystems on a European scale are maintained in good conditions.
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Sustainable tourism: Islands’ special features make them excellent places to develop sustainable tourism based on quality and a wide range of choices. However, the quality of life on small islands must be assured year round for the island permanent populations and should not meet solely the seasonal demand from tourism. Greater vigilance must be exercised in developing tourist activities, whose main purpose should be to improve the quality of life of local populations.
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Islands and global warming: Climate change has already caused changes to plankton, to fish distribution and to the variety of species found in the seas around the UK. The loss of sandeels in our waters has been so pronounced it has been affecting seabird populations, notably black-legged kittiwake, terns and skuas. Climate change also makes it likely that non-native species will flourish in our seas, and affect fisheries and aquaculture. European directives must help fight the effect of climate change in our waters.
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Protection of the marine environment. Islands are particularly exposed to the rise in storm surges and climate hazards (drought, floods, landslides, etc.) as well as increased erosion risk. Protection of the coastal and marine environment must be one of Europe’s Top priorities. To fit into the integrated management approach highlighted by the European Commission, protecting the marine environment must involve the islands and islanders, acting as sentries in the framework of local management. This protection should include better knowledge about island areas in the form of island databases and increased surveillance of surrounding waters in order to predict these risks and find ways to plan for them.
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Islands as pilot projects: Islands, and the smaller islands in particular, have to innovate to meet the various challenges that arise from their insularity. Their geographical features lend themselves beautifully to pilot projects, particularly ion the field of renewable energies. Setting up pilot projects there presents a scientific interest and enables the large investment costs that island authorities generally cannot shoulder to be factored in. A good example is the Isle of Eigg with its pioneering stand-alone renewable energy system. Initiatives using new technologies should receive special support since they can help reduce the constraints of insularity and increase access to jobs and services.
QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATES
Do you support one or more proposals of the SIF European Manifesto?
If YES, which one(s)? Please give reasons.
If NO, why?
Is there any other topic that was not covered by our Manifesto of
particular interest to you?
Please send your comments to info@scottish-islands-federation.co.uk
ALL REACTIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE SIF WEBSITE
Please
forward this Manifesto to other candidates in your party
See our website :
www.scottish-islands-federation.co.uk
