£23m fishing payout still leaves firms ‘vulnerable’

A £23MILLIOn compensation package for fishermen hit by Brexit chaos is just a ‘sticking plaster’, industry leaders have warned.

Scottish seafood bosses said the many businesses suffering because of delays at ports into europe were still ‘vulnerable’ despite new funding.

Yesterday, ministers announced that affected exporters could claim up to £100,000.

It comes after weeks of intense pressure from Scotland’s seafood sector, with firms warning they faced bankruptcy as the industry lost £1million every day.

Seafood Scotland chief executive Donna Fordyce said: ‘While we await the full detail of the package, we know that there will be questions around the extent to which it supports the entire supply chain, from fleet to export.’

Mrs Fordyce said the money would ‘offer a ray of light’ to firms who have suffered ‘crippling losses’.

But she added: ‘Larger companies and smaller shellfish boats are still vulnerable, and will be hoping that they can access support, too.’

The Department for the environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced aid for the fishing sector on Tuesday, accepting it had to adjust to the ‘most significant new requirements’ after Brexit.

The support will be for small and medium enterprises, with operators able to claim up to £100,000. They must provide evidence of a loss in exporting fish to the eU.

The money will be paid immediately and retrospectively, covering losses from January 1. Details of how to apply and eligibility are to be revealed in the coming days.

Mrs Fordyce said: ‘Money will offer a much-needed sticking plaster... [but] the sector still needs a period of grace during which the system must be overhauled.’

She added that the aid was a ‘step in the right direction’ but further work and support was needed.

In the Commons yesterday, Boris Johnson said: ‘Some British fishermen have faced barriers owing to complications over form-filling.

‘One of the biggest problems is, alas, there is a decline in appetite for fish in continental markets, just because most restaurants are shut.

‘The reality is that Brexit will deliver and is delivering a huge uplift in quota... by 2026 the fishing people of this country will have access to all the fish in all the territorial waters of this country.

‘To get them ready for that el Dorado, we’re investing £100million in improving our boats, our fishprocessing industry and getting ready for the opportunities ahead.’

The UK Government has pledged to work with the seafood sector to help deal with the new procedures.