News / Islands summit
SHETLAND Islands Council’s political leader has described a meeting he and other islands council leaders held with Scottish island minister Humza Yousaf on Friday as “constructive”.
Cecil Smith had travelled with outgoing SIC chief executive Mark Boden to Edinburgh for what was dubbed an “islands summit”.
Top of the agenda were uncertainty over the details of the planned exit from the European Union, particularly for the agriculture and fishing industries.
While transition deals for the time after 2019 are likely to come into force, no details have been forthcoming.
The Scottish Government has repeatedly criticised the UK Government for the lack of clarity on a number of issues critical to Scotland.
Following the meeting on Friday afternoon, Smith said the minister had expressed his wish to continue the dialogue.
“The meeting with the minister was very constructive covering things like Brexit and what might come after that. Fisheries and agriculture are all unknowns,” he said.
“He has offered to meet with us at any time. I am sure that will be an offer we will take up.”
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