Europe

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 9:30 am on 12 June 2003.

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Photo of Nicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon Scottish National Party 9:30, 12 June 2003

I will not give way just now, as I have to make some progress. I may take further interventions later.

I believe that the constitution is a good step forward. Transforming the various treaties that make up and have developed the European Union into a formal written constitution gives us the ability to enshrine certain fundamental principles. Democracy, subsidiarity, the principles of human rights, cultural and linguistic pluralism and the protection of minorities are all entrenched in the draft constitution. Most important of all for those of us who believe in a confederation of states, in defining the scope and extent of the EU's competence, the constitution sets limits on its reach. The powers of national Parliaments are entrenched, and that is fundamentally important.

Of course, there are parts of the constitution that we cannot and will not support. National control of national resources is essential. That is why we totally reject that part of the constitution that gives the European Union exclusive competence over fishing. The effect of that proposal would be to exclude marine conservation and fisheries from the principle of subsidiarity. It would also preclude any possible legislative role for Scotland in relation to the conservation of fish stocks in Scottish waters. It is, quite simply, unacceptable.

Centralised EU management of fishing over the past 20 years has been disastrous. It is time to return control more closely to fishing communities.

It is also the case that exclusive competence in that area does not fit with the other exclusive competences.