22/06/2017: Where will the UK stand on the international aquacultural chessboard after Brexit?

by Zasha Whiteway-Wilkinson, International Aquafeed

Nowadays, it seems that politics is forever at the tip of everyone’s tongue, whether it be the recent French presidential race, which saw Emmanuel Macron defeat far-right runner-up Marine Le Pen, although only after a second vote; or the on-going controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s presidency of the United States; or Britain’s narrowly decided vote to leave the European Union in June last year and Prime Minister Theresa May’s unexpected call for a general election only a few weeks’ ago  

Image credit: Nick Page on Flickr

Whilst we wait for Great Britain’s representatives to lock down with those in Brussels upon the exact terms of the Brexit deal, it is important to consider directly how it may affect the structure of Britsh politics including our aquaculture industry.

Dr Simon Doherty [BVMS CertAqV MRCVS MRQA CBiol FRSB] is the Animal Sciences & Aquaculture specialist for the HM Government’s Department for International Trade (DIT). In this article he describes his role in supporting trade and investment into the UK livestock industry and his interests in the global aquaculture sector.

His insight provides an interesting and vital perspective on the outlook and opportunities of the United Kingdoms aquaculture industries.

As Simon explains, “My job at DIT is to sell the UK as the great location it is for investment and to promote UK company excellence and capability in overseas markets. I work within the Agri-Tech Organisation in DIT which is made up of a core team of civil servants working alongside contracted industry specialists covering plant sciences, precision agriculture, animal sciences and aquaculture. The organisation provides a range of services to overseas companies considering an investment in the UK, as well as to UK-based companies considering an expansion into new markets abroad. Ultimately it’s about job and wealth creation for the UK economy. Attracting world-class companies with cutting edge technology not only creates jobs and wealth but it also adds great intellectual capital to the excellence that already exists in the UK. The economy needs a strong export performance and I’m also working with UK-based companies - many of them existing investors – to help their development and growth in overseas markets, matching their excellence and expertise to opportunities and needs around the world.”

Expanding, he explains that, “DIT has a global network with a presence in over 100 countries, and strong partnerships throughout the UK delivering our services. In-house capability services the needs of investors in areas like tax guidance, planning, talent, suitable locations and support through financial modelling tools provide independent comparisons on profitability between the UK and competitor countries. Making connections for companies who need access to other parts of Government, academia, business or professional bodies is an essential component of the job. In aquaculture, my portfolio covers everything from pharmaceuticals and vaccines to instruments and machinery for fish farms, so the requests for support from companies can be quite diverse. This often means facilitating connections for client companies with non-governmental organisations such as UK universities, research institutes and innovation centres – including the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre – helping to drive innovation and sustainability in the sector, both of which underpin trade and inward investment potential. Continued investment in appropriate novel technologies is precisely what will keep the UK aquaculture sector resilient and competitive in the global market.”

Read the full article, HERE.

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