Today the Environment Secretary confirmed that fishing businesses across the UK will receive up to £23 million in new funding to support those most adversely affected by the pandemic and to take advantage of the huge benefits of our trading relationship with the EU.
We have taken back control of our fisheries delivering a huge benefit to fishing communities across the country, there were always going to be changes for businesses and the Government understands the unique circumstances our fishing sector face.
That is why the Government are providing up to £23 million of immediate support, which will help cover any losses they have incurred since 1 January this year, up to a maximum of £100,000 per claimant, targeting small and medium businesses who can demonstrate a clear loss of exports to the EU as a result of delays and a lack of demand from the restaurant industry both here and across Europe.
The Marine Management Organisation will administer the scheme on behalf of exporters across the UK. More details will be available on eligibility criteria in the coming days. The Government will be consulting industry across the UK and working with the devolved administrations on these eligibility criteria before they are confirmed.
Support for new export processes
In addition to funding, the UK Government will provide further support to businesses in adapting to new export processes. Defra and HMRC will be offering targeted, proactive and hands on support to fisheries exporters to help them successfully meet the new requirements. This includes a new training package and focused workshop sessions.
Seafood exports to the EU require specific procedures, customs declarations, Catch Certificates and Export Health Certificates (EHCs) and businesses have adapted to these requirements at speed. As seafood is a perishable product with a ‘just in time’ supply chain, it is important that the sector can export quickly.
The UK Government has been working closely with the seafood industry and individual businesses to support them through this period and to ensure that any errors or problems are tackled as early as possible. The situation has been improving over the last week and the flow of goods is improving, but we will do more.
To view the support provided to the industry, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-financial-support-for-the-uks-fishing-businesses-that-export-to-the-eu.
Fleet and processing industry
Separately, the Prime Minister has announced £100 million to help modernise the fleet and the processing industry, on top of the £32m that will replace EU funding this year, which make such a vital contribution to our coastal communities around the country.
Regional Fisheries Management Organisations
Now the UK have left the Common Fisheries Policy, as an independent coastal state, the UK has taken its independent seat at the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, including the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission and the North Atlantic Fisheries Organisation. The Government have put in place a bilateral agreement with the EU, and a partnership agreement with Norway.
The UK-EU agreement returns 25% of the EU’s catch in UK waters (worth £146m) to Scottish, English, Welsh and Northern Irish fishermen, beginning at 15%. Increases in quota this year include key fish stocks such as North Sea cod, from 47% to 57 and North Sea hake, from 18% to 54% with a mechanism to exchange quota between the UK and EU.
This financial support is in addition to the £9 million of support provided last year to support the sector in England, and support provided by the devolved administrations.
