A NEW Scottish salmon fishing policy has been attacked amid claims it would be the equivalent to modern-day cross-border raid to communities in the north of England.

Opponents to the Scottish Government’s wild fisheries policy in Northumberland say the plans, which were part of a consultation, could mean fishing supporters in England lose out on a traditional “tax” raised to benefit the sport and communities.

Supporters of the long-standing Tweed Commission which raised the levy north and south of the Border before dividing it among angling associations say communities in England could lose their share under plans by Holyrood to revamp how the river is looked after.

The plan will modernise the way one of the world's most prolific salmon rivers is managed but The Tweed Commission, which raised £700,000 last year, has raised concerns the potential result.

The Scottish Government said it has a broad consultation including a public meeting with about 100 members of the fishing community over the plans.

Dougie Watkin, a councillor at Northumberland County Council, said he believes a cross-border commission should continue.

He said future funding plans could mean cash "might not all come back to the Tweed, which of courses wouldn’t be democratic".

He said: "About a third of the commission's funds are raised within England.

"That was the whole point of the commission because you could have this cross border rating system which everyone was happy with because the proceeds were spent in the Tweed Valley."

The Scottish Government said earlier that much of the law that underpins Scotland's current wild fisheries management system dates back to the 19th century.

When the consultation was launched environment minister Dr Aileen McLeod MSP said: "The Scottish Government will take forward an ambitious programme of wild fisheries reform."

She said "Scotland's wild fisheries are a valuable natural resource and it is vital we have a modern, evidence-based management system".

Angling on the Tweed is estimated to be worth £18 million to the local economy and to support the equivalent of 480 full-time jobs.

The Tweed Commission's roles include regulating fishing, maintaining fishing beats and halting poaching.

Nick Yonge, RTC clerk, said: "There is a suggestion that might then be redistributed by the Scottish Government and it might not all come back to the Tweed, which of course would be undemocratic.

"The Scottish Government hasn't said they are actually going to do that, but there is a concern that they might and it would, of course, be quite wrong to take English taxes and spend them elsewhere in Scotland."

Set up over 200 years ago, the RTC said it is democratic and accountable, its 81 commissioners comprising 43 appointed by Scottish Borders Council and Northumberland County Council, including representatives of local angling clubs, and a minority, 38, appointed by salmon fishery proprietors.

The RTC said it "does not consider it appropriate for the Tweed to be constituted as part of the new system which the Scottish Government has proposed".

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "As part of the Wild Fisheries Reform consultation process, Scottish Government officials have held a drop-in session in Melrose, and have met with the River Tweed Commission on a number of occasions.

“The drop-in event was attended by about 100 local people from both sides of the border and many of the issues identified by the councillors were discussed.”