Islands MSP applauds Scottish Government's funding package for the fishing industry

The package includes:

£6.45 million for the Seafood Producers Resilience Fund which will provide support to eligible shellfish catchers and producers, in addition to trout farmers who have faced issues exporting to the EU and have lost access to domestic food markets as a result of COVID-19.

£1 million to be made available to support the investment plans of ports and harbours faced with a loss of income through landing fees.

Up to £300,000 to assist the activities of the Fishermen’s Mission.

Since the UK left the EU on January 1, seafood exports have been disrupted by a range of regulatory issues and delays at the border. Seafood is worth millions of pounds to the economy of the Western Isles, and these issues have heaped more pressure on fishing businesses already trying to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alasdair Allan commented: “The last month has been a torrid time for fishing businesses. Brexit red tape combined with the effects of the pandemic has pushed the industry to the brink of crisis.

“The fishing industry had been calling for the UK Government to establish a funding scheme for exporters. In the absence of any clarity from UK Government Ministers, I am thankful for the Scottish Government swiftly stepping in.

“The Scottish Government’s engagement stands in stark contrast to the UK Government which, having caused this mess in the first place, appear to have washed their hands of it.”