Yesterday (Monday) TUV leader Jim Allister and South Down Assembly candidate Henry Reilly gave evidence to the Commons’s Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the possible impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland.
Commenting after the meeting Councillor Reilly said:
“It was good to have the opportunity to highlight the devastating impact of EU membership on Northern Ireland and particularly in South Down where EU fishing policy has resulted in the industry being greatly reduced.
“The Common Fisheries Policy has abjectly failed. It is supposed to deliver both sustainable stocks and economic prosperity for the sector.
“It has done neither. Rather, our industry has spiraled into decline under its stewardship.
“Top down, over-regulation and multi-layered micro-management from Brussels, has been disastrous. It is hard to find a sector where stakeholders feel more disconnected and alienated, or where there is a greater sense of inequity. Repatriation of control of fishing policy from Brussels to the UK – which can only come about through Brexit – is a key TUV goal.
“It was also interesting that none of the MPs on the committee – which included members from across the British political spectrum – gave any credence to the idea that farm subsidies would cease once we leave the EU. Farm subsidies existed before anyone had heard of the EU and they will continue once we leave. In fact, post-Brexit we will be able to tailor a scheme which meets the needs of our own farmers rather than the current system which is concerned with famers across Europe. Additionally, it is important to remember that the trend in EU farm subsidies is away from Western Europe.”