BRUSH-OFF FOR CLEETHORPES MP'S PLEA OVER NEW TARIFF ON IMPORTS OF RUSSIAN WHITE FISH

                                               

Martin Vickers - snubbed by Prime Minister

 STOP buying Russia-landed whitefish!

That was the message from Boris Johnson  at the last Questions to The Prime Minister before he steps down.

He was responding to a protest from Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers that seafood-processing firms in North East Lincolnshire would be hit by the introduction of a 35 per cent tariff imposed by the Government on the import of white fish from Russia  in response to that country's invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Vickers sought 'mitigation' for the impact.

The PM effectively batted the question into the long grass, making light of the challenge with a quip about fish and chips, but his point was that the industry should look to sources other than Russia for their supplies.

The exchange is below:  

MV: "I know that my right hon. Friend is aware of the importance of the seafood processing industry to the Grimsby-Cleethorpes area.

"However, there is one cloud on the horizon - the recently imposed 35 per cent tariff on white fish.

"This is causing industry leaders considerable concern even though they recognise the importance of maintaining sanctions on Russia. 

"Will my right hon. Friend arrange meetings with me and my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Lia Nici) with the appropriate ministers, so we can discuss measures to mitigate the impact on the industry?

PM: "I will make sure that my hon. Friend gets a meeting as soon as possible with the relevant minister.

"However, it is very important that we encourage our great fish and chip shops in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and elsewhere to make sure they are not just using Russian fish for their fish and chips."

The Grimsby News says: Considering that Ukrainians are giving their lives to defend values that we cherish, it is regrettable that some local firms are both continuing to buy fish from Putin's Russia and complaining about the new tariff. It also to the discredit of our two MPs that they, too, seem so casual in their approach to Ukrainian loss of life. How sad that ethical considerations have slipped so low in the commercial and political life of our times.