Allister slams Executive for snubbing fishermen
28 April 2008
28th April 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has slammed DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew for her failure to provide any meaningful assistance to local fishermen to ease the crisis caused by rocketing fuel costs.
The MEP said,
“I condemn the Minister and her Department for snubbing our fishermen during this time of financial crisis within the industry, by failing to offer up to 7500 Euros of de Minimis aid per business, which is permissible under EU State Aid rules. Furthermore, I condemn the Executive for being disingenuous, by attempting to dress up its pathetic response to fishermen by announcing a £25 million fund for the next 5 years. These funds were already earmarked under the European Fisheries Fund, and equate to a re-advertisement in order to save face for Executive inaction.”
“Let us be clear, the only new money the Executive is offering is in the form of Vessel Monitoring System maintenance for those vessels that have such devices fitted -which equates to £276 per year, a far cry short of what fishermen had expected. Our fishermen, just like our pig and beef farmers are bearing the brunt of an incompetent and apathetic Minister, unable and unwilling to represent their interests at the negotiating table.”
ENDS
