EU helps fishermen combat Russian trade embargo

Fishermen affected by the food export ban to Russia will benefit from a change to EU law that allows mackerel and herring fishermen to “bank” a higher proportion of their quota this year and use it next year instead.

The EU Fisheries Council has agreed to bank 25% of the 2014 quota, up from the standard 10%, and roll it over for use in 2015.

The move is aimed at giving more time for the industry to strike trade deals with new international markets, making up for the loss of Russian trade.

The Russian ban has had its biggest effect in Scotland where fishermen hold 70% of the UK mackerel quota.