Briefings prepared by the Brussels International Office regarding the EU/UK Fisheries Deal: FOI release

Information requested

All briefings prepared by the Brussels International Office and correspondence written to or from Mairi Gougeon and/or her office regarding the EU/UK Fisheries Deal announced by the UK Government on May 19, between May 1 2025 and June 15 2025.

Response

I enclose a copy of all documents in scope of this request - in this case two weekly updates and a summary of the summit’s outcomes prepared by the Scottish Government EU Directorate (Brussels) to Ministers, including Cabinet Secretary Gougeon - via attachment.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) applies to the information you have requested. Section 38 of FOISA relates to personal information. In this instance, the names and contact details of civil servants under Deputy Director Grade have been redacted. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

An exemption under section 32(1)(ii) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) applies to some of the information you have requested. Section 32(1)(ii) concerns relations between the United Kingdom and any international organisation or international court. Information on the UK Government’s position on ongoing matters of negotiation with the European Union has been redacted. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500492055 - Information released - Annex

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