Cornish fishing businesses whose produce are exported to the EU will be eligible for a share of a new national £23 million government fund to support businesses affected by the COVID pandemic and adjusting to new export requirements.
This is in recognition of the unique circumstances of the fishing sector, which has had the most significant new requirements to adjust to, and for whom even a short delay can lead to goods perishing - at a time when the industry is facing lower market prices and demand due to the pandemic.
The fund will be targeted at fishing export businesses who can evidence a genuine loss in exporting fish and shellfish to the EU. Support will be available immediately and paid retrospectively to cover losses incurred since 1 January 2021. The scheme will be targeted at small and medium enterprises and the maximum claim available to individual operators will be £100,000.
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.
Commenting, St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double said:
“I have been keen to raise concerns brought to me by local fishermen and am pleased to see the Government respond with this fund to assist Cornish fishing businesses whose produce are exported to the EU.”
“I will continue to work with our fishing communities to ensure their voices are heard and that additional support is provided across the sector both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”