26 February 2014
A National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) delegation is scheduled to meet tomorrow (27 February) with Fisheries Minister, George Eustice, to discuss an aid package for the fishing industry, following the unprecedented succession of storms that have affected the fishing industry.
“We have been talking to officials
about the possible shape of a rescue package”, said Paul Trebilcock, Chairman
of the NFFO, and also Chief Executive of the Cornish Fish Producers
Organisation, one of the areas most severely hit by the storms.
“Now, we are meeting with George
Eustice to hear what level of political support there is for a realistic and
rapid support package.
“What is needed is immediate
short-term support to put fishing businesses back on their feet. We are not
looking for long-term subsidies, but we do believe that government has a
responsibility to underpin a return to profitability in these exceptional
circumstances. There should also be parity with the treatment afforded to the
farming industry.
“The kind of support we have been
pressing for includes:
- Immediate
access for fishermen to the Government’s small business support scheme for businesses affected by the
severe weather - Gear replacement funding for
static gear damaged or lost in the storms - An
announcement on how Government is going to help repair the infrastructures damaged by the
storms - Steps to
help fishermen recoup the lost
earnings suffered from being unable to go to sea for prolonged periods
over December, January and February - Deferral
of the Government’s intention to charge the fishing industry for light dues”
“Obviously, fishermen will judge
the Government on how much support it is willing to give and how easy it is to
access that support. These are exceptional circumstances; although, having said
that, when this latest calamity hit, the industry was only just recovering from
the losses arising from the unusually cold start to the previous year.
“This is an opportunity for the
Government to demonstrate its commitment to the fishing industry and to the
fishermen who put food on our tables in sometimes very difficult
circumstances.”
For more information visit https://www.nffo.org.uk/