Speaking after voting on crucial amendments in the Marine Bill in the Scottish Parliament, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesman and MSP for Orkney Liam McArthur said:

“The Marine Bill will deliver real and lasting benefits for Scotland's marine environment.

“Important improvements have been made to the legislation, which command support from a wide range of interests, including the renewables sector, the fishing industry and environmental and leisure organisations.

“I am particularly pleased that the attempt by Labour and Tory MSPs to remove responsibility for fish farm licenses from local Councils has been defeated.

“In pursuit of administrative neatness, these amendments risked undermining efficiency, local accountability and financial certainty in business planning.

“Moreover, it would have sent entirely the wrong signal about the confidence Parliament has in local councils, many of whom have invested time and resources in developing the specific expertise necessary to deal effectively and efficiently with fish farm planning procedures.”

Commenting, Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader and MSP for Shetland said:

“I was pleased that the Minister recognised that the current system is right and that Liberal Democrat and SNP MSPs defeated this centralising move, which the Labour and Conservative parties wanted to impose.”