Financial support for North Devon’s fishing businesses that export to the EU
Selaine Saxby MP, has welcomed the announcement of up to £23 million, to support businesses which have been most adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of adjusting to new requirements for exporting.
The UK-wide 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 fishing industry has already been hit by the reduction in demand from the hospitality sector in the UK and other export markets as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic with market prices falling by as much as 40%.
More details will be available on eligibility criteria in the coming days.
Selaine Saxby MP for North Devon has said:
“This £23 million scheme will provide vital support for fishermen and seafood exporters in North Devon
“There has been a lack of demand for fish from the restaurant industry in the UK and Europe, and the fishing sector has had the most significant new export requirements to adjust to. I will continue to work closely with local fishing businesses in Ilfracombe as I am determined that we get our share of the additional £100 million fund to grow our local fishing industry.”
The Government will provide further support to businesses in adapting to new export processes. This includes 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.
