Western Isles fishing vessel owners reminded to register for EU exports

Fishing vessel owners are being reminded that they will need to register as ‘food businesses’, and have their vessel inspected by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to enable catch to be exported to Europe after EU-exit.
Fishing vessel owners must register as a food business before the end of the year if they want to continue to export their catches to EU countries.Fishing vessel owners must register as a food business before the end of the year if they want to continue to export their catches to EU countries.
Fishing vessel owners must register as a food business before the end of the year if they want to continue to export their catches to EU countries.

Owners of Outer Hebrides registered vessels are urged to contact Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar’s Environmental Health team to register their vessels and make arrangements for their vessel to be inspected.

This is a legal requirement for those vessels who intend to export their catch, either directly or indirectly, to any EU Member State after the end of the ‘transition period’ on December 31, 2020.

Exemptions apply if a catch is intended either for personal consumption, or it does not exceed 25kg and is for direct sale from the quayside.

Vessel owners are responsible for the registration process, and failure to do so may mean that their catches cannot be exported to EU member states at the end of the transition period.

A Comhairle spokesperson said: “So far, 90 fishing vessels have registered and environmental health have carried out over 70 inspections.

“However, there are over 200 vessels operating in the islands and we are reminding owners to get registered so inspections can be arranged before the end of the year.”

For more details and a registration form go to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

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