DUMFRIESSHIRE MP David Mundell welcomed Annabel Goldie MSP to his constituency once again this week – when they visited the River Esk at Langholm.

The river is under the jurisdiction of the English-based Environment Agency under a unique reciprocal arrangement (the River Tweed in England is managed by Scotland) and this has caused a number of issues regarding the need for a rod licence to fish on the border Esk.

Mr Mundell and Miss Goldie, who is the leader of the Conservatives in the Scottish Parliament, met with local fishermen and Mark Oddy, the Buccleuch Estates Estate Manager to discuss the issue.

Mr Mundell and Ms Goldie also held a meeting with Buccleuch Estates to discuss the consultation on the proposals for a new Border Rivers Order for the River Esk. Mr Mundell and the Estate are both against any further legal powers being given to the Environment Agency particularly the powers to introduce new bylaws which could be introduced without prior consultation or ministerial confirmation.

Our picture shows L to R: David Mundell MP, Annabel Goldie MSP and Iain Bell, Buccleuch Estates’ head water bailiff.