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Fisheries Secretary and UK counterpart discuss impact on Scottish mackerel fleet and processors. 

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Richard Lochhead has met the new UK Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss to discuss the impact of Russian trade sanctions.

This morning’s meeting in Peterhead was the first between Mr Lochhead and Ms Truss, who replaced Owen Paterson as Defra Secretary of State last month.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Lochhead said:

"I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet new Defra SoS Elizabeth Truss for the first time in Peterhead today and welcome her to Scotland.

"We had a constructive meeting and discussed the impact of the Russia trade embargo on Scotland's mackerel fleet and processors and ways we can help them deal with the immediate and longer term challenge the ban presents.

"In particular I highlighted it would be helpful for the UK to look at export insurance to help the industry with exports to Ukraine and to explore with the EU possible opportunities around banking of quota - as well of course as exploring new markets and increasing domestic demand with consumers and retailers. All of which were areas targeted by the five-point plan I agreed with the industry in Edinburgh earlier this week.

"This is a really successful sector, used to dealing with changing market conditions and there are lots of avenues for us to explore. So the most important thing is that we are fleet of foot and I look forward to pursuing all the options over the coming weeks."