Scottish seafood firms can claim up to £100k for ‘genuine loss’ in Brexit package
Scottish firms exporting fish and shellfish to the EU who can show they have suffered “genuine loss” due to Brexit red tape will be able to claim up to £100,000 in compensation, the UK government has confirmed.
Boris Johnson had earlier let slip details of a £23 million support package for seafood businesses hit by Brexit, just hours after furious Scottish shellfish exporters drove a dozen lorries to the steps of Downing Street in protest.
Under the deal agreed with Brussels, British trade with the EU is tariff free, but fish exporters are now suffering due to a series of new document demands.
The fund will be aimed at helping fishing exporters who can evidence a genuine loss in exporting fish and shellfish to the EU.
Support of up to £100,000 will be immediately available for losses incurred since 1 January 2021.
UK government Minister for Scotland David Duguid said: “This funding announcement is the latest step in the UK Government’s continued engagement with the senior representatives of the industry to identify specific problems and to apply rapid solutions.
“Those conversations are, of course, aimed at addressing immediate concerns, and at finding longer-term, sustainable solutions to the challenges that the industry faces.
“Working with Scottish seafood business leaders, we want to get the best out of our exit from the Common
Fisheries Policy and the opportunities that presents, as well as maximising the investment package delivered by the UK government.”
Theukgovernmentwillnow consult the industry and work with the devolved administrations to establish eligibility criteria.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “This
£23m scheme will provide crucial support for fishermen and seafood exporters, who have experienced delays and a lack of demand for fish from the restaurant industry in the UK and Europe.
“We are continuing to work closely with the fishing and aquaculture sectors to make sure that they are supported, and can continue to fish whilst
contributing to the economies of our coastal communities.”
As well as funding, the UK Government will also now provide support to help businesses adapt to the new processes, with both Defra and HMRC offering more support and training to exporters.
Earlier the UK Government was accused of not contacting Holyrood before the Prime
Minister announced compensation.
Rural economy and tourism secretary Fergus Ewing said no “substantive discussions” and claimed he had repeatedly urged the UK Government to do more.
He said: “No substantive discussion on a compensation scheme for Scottish fishing communities took place and
the it's simply unacceptable for the UK Government to launch such a scheme without contacting the Scottish Government.
“The deal reached with the EU demonstrated the UK Governments profound lack of knowledge of, or concern for, Scottish seafood interests”.