An independent Scotland could shut off its seas to other European nations if it was not allowed into the EU, according to the Scottish Government.
UK Europe Minister David Lidington claimed membership could be blocked by eastern European countries seeking greater farm subsidies in the event of a Yes vote.
A spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond described the assertion as “rubbish”that “doesn’t stack up” and claimed farmers could expect “up to a billion pounds more than they currently get” if Scotland were an independent member of the EU.
When challenged on a suggestion made by Mr Lidington that Scotland could face vetoes from Poland, Romania and Croatia over farming entitlement, the spokesman said: “It’s not a comparable situation Scotland is already part of the EU.”
Pressed to explain how an independent Scotland would persuade other countries to accept the SNP’s terms, he added: “Apart from anything else, do other countries want to be blocked from access to the North Sea?
“Do Spanish and Portuguese fishermen, and others for that matter, want what would become Scottish waters to be blocked off to their fisherman? I don’t think so, but if that’s what’s being suggested then it strikes me as a bit self defeating.”
The spokesman denied the SNP would “blackmail” other countries, and claimed its position is “a matter of fact”.
Mr Lidington said if Scotland was to become a completely new state, as he believes would be the case, it would either have to accept a lower level of agricultural support in line with the other member states, or “leapfrog” eastern European countries.