1. 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.

The best way for businesses on the islands to prosper, as elsewhere, is to cut overheads. The Scottish Conservatives have already secured the abolition of business rates for thousands of small companies, which will provide a tremendous boost for the islands.

3.      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.

The Scottish Conservatives recognise the need to protect and invest in Scotland’s lifeline ferry services. The tendering of the Calmac services by the previous Scottish Executive squandered vast amounts of money merely to secure the status quo, and did the islands no good whatsoever. That said, there is undoubtedly scope for greater innovation in the provision of services to the islands, and ways should be found to encourage new providers. On RET, the decision by the SNP Government to apply it only to certain routes raises serious questions of political bias.

4. 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.

 We fully support more local and regional management of fisheries and will work towards this goal in the forthcoming debate on the reform of the CFP.

5. 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.

Agreed

6. 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. 

Agreed

7. 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. 

Agreed. The Scottish Conservatives have led the way in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the catastrophic decline in sea bird populations and want to see action to better manage our seas.

8. 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. 

It is vital to involve island communities in decision making.

9. 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. I