New support for fish processors welcomed
A new £10 million pound scheme to help seafood processors during the coronavirus pandemic has been welcomed.
As a result of the outbreak, international markets have shut and demand has been greatly reduced as restaurants and cafes across the UK follow government orders to close.
Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who has fishing communities on the west coasts of Skye and Lochaber in her constituency has welcomed the new Scottish Seafood Business Resilience Fund.
She said she hoped the new scheme, which provides a combination of grants and loans, will be a boost to seafood businesses fighting for survival and threatening livelihoods in coastal areas.
Ms Forbes added: ‘Fish processors are reliant on buoyant markets, which have clearly collapsed with COVID-19.
‘It is important we support them through this difficult period so I am pleased the Scottish Government has established a hardship fund for fish processors.
‘They depend on the quality fish and seafood caught by fishermen, particularly those on the west coast, so the hope is that in supporting the fish processors there will also be support for the fish catching sector.’
Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has also welcomed the decision to support seafood processors.
The sudden closure of international markets for seafood including langoustine, prawns, crabs and lobsters threatens the future of seafood processing plants, which are key employers in the Western Isles.
‘This support is crucial to ensuring seafood processing businesses remain solvent through this crisis,’ said Mr Allan.
‘I have been in continual contact with representatives from factories in the Western Isles who describe the extreme difficulties they are facing due to the almost complete loss in sales.
‘The fishing sector is a mainstay of the islands economy and processing plants are a key link in the supply chain.
‘This fund will address acute problems with cash flow and ensure businesses have the capital to keep people on the payroll.
‘I would also urge Western Isles residents to consider buying local seafood to create alternative markets and bring some cash through the tills.’