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| Image credit: William Murphy on flickr.com (CC BY-SA 2.0) |
The UK-wide Seafood Disruption Support Scheme will provide up to £23 million (US$32 million) of financial assistance to businesses that suffered a financial loss because of delays related to the export of fresh or live fish and shellfish to the EU during January 2021. The fund will be paid retrospectively to cover losses incurred between 1-31 January 2021.
Alongside the Seafood Disruption Support Scheme, the UK Government has been offering targeted support to help exporters with new processes. This includes the Seafood Exports Working Group, meeting twice a week to troubleshoot issues raised by the industry; and a newly established Scottish Seafood Exports Task Force.
Meeting for the first time this week, the task-force will draw together government officials and industry representatives from the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors to specifically driving forward the seafood sector in Scotland.
The fishing and seafood sector is also set to benefit from significant government investment with a £100m (US$138 million) fund to help modernise fishing fleets, the fish processing industry, and rejuvenate a historic and proud industry in the UK, on top of the £32m (US$44.2 million) that will replace EU funding this year.
The Seafood Disruption Support Scheme, first announced on 19 January, has been made available in recognition of the unique circumstances currently affecting the seafood exporting sector at a time when the industry is facing lower market prices and demand due to the pandemic.
The scheme, administered by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of Defra, is a UK-wide fund offering financial assistance based on a proportion of losses that can be verified up to a maximum of £100,000 (US$138,000) per business.
Seafood exporting businesses across the UK can apply from today for support from this £23 million (US$32 million) scheme, reflecting the unique challenges faced by the sector, says Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis.
"We will continue to work closely with the fisheries and seafood industry through our Seafood Exports Working Group to troubleshoot any issues that cause delays to the export of these highly perishable goods".
"While recognising that huge efforts went into preparing for the required changes as we exited the EU, there are many who have incurred losses through no fault of their own. The UK Government is, therefore, stepping up with the Seafood Disruption Support Scheme," says David Duguid, UK Government Minister for Scotland.
"I have been engaging with the industry for many months and continue to work with all sections of the seafood sector in Scotland as we move to maximise future opportunities and adapt to new rules."
A uniquely challenging period
"The Seafood Disruption Support Scheme highlights the UK Government’s commitment to Welsh exporters who are currently facing a uniquely challenging period" says Simon Hart, Secretary of State for Wales. "We want to back our fantastic Welsh businesses and I encourage all who are eligible to apply for this support".
Qualifying businesses for the Seafood Disruption Support Scheme must be registered at Companies House or have evidence that they are a sole trader, partnership or other legal entity, and must meet the following conditions: having fewer than 250 employees, an annual turnover of under £36 million (US$50 million), and less than £18m (US$25 million) on their balance sheet.
Applicants must be able to evidence the expected value of the consignment. Shipments affected by export rules that prevent the movement of goods to the EU will be outside the scope of the scheme. The call for applications closes on 28 February 2021. If successful, all payments are expected to be issued in March.
Further eligibility conditions apply and are outlined in the full scheme guidance published on the MMO website.
The Marine Management Organisation also offers a ‘one stop shop’ for export guidance; Defra and HMRC will also be offering targeted, proactive and hands-on support to fisheries exporters to help them successfully meet the new requirements, which includes a new training package and focused workshop sessions.
To find out more, visit the scheme's website, HERE
The Aquaculturists
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