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MEP backs financial aid for fishermen

02 January 2007

Jim Allister MEP has called on Fisheries Minister, David Cairns MP, to sanction a “Tie-Up Aid” package for whitefish fishermen in Northern Ireland affected by the spring closure in the Irish Sea, which kicks in under the Cod Recovery scheme from mid February. For 10 weeks the boats are banned from fishing during the cod spawning season. Under EU rules the UK Government is permitted to pay compensatory aid to meet the boats’ ongoing overheads and crewing costs.

Last year there was a row when Lord Rooker claimed aid, having been paid in 2004 and 2005, was not permitted for a third year under EU legislation. Mr Allister disagreed and proved, through confirmation from Fisheries Commissioner, Dr Borg, that DARD was misinterpreting the Regulation and that no such bar on further aid existed. Nonetheless, in a move described by the MEP as “vindicitive and churlish” Lord Rooker still refused aid in 2006, causing great anger among the affected fishermen.

Commenting on the situation this year, Mr Allister said:-

“Immediately the Fisheries Council finished in Brussels, just before Christmas, and it was confirmed we were to be subjected to an eighth year of “temporary” spring closure, I wrote to Minister Cairns, on behalf of the hard-pressed whitefish fleet, urging that he pay out “Tie-UpAid” in 2007. The whitefish sector is in dire straits, made worse by further savage quota cuts. Already the fleet is a mere fraction of its former size, the sector urgently needs a signal of tangible support. Many believe there is an agenda in Government to totally liquidate the whitefish fleet. Granting Tie-up aid would send a powerful signal of government support. The scheme is far from perfect, but at least it pumps some much-needed cash into the industry to tide it over a very difficult spell.

After last year’s debacle and a positive effort by the Minister in Brussels before Christmas, Tie-up aid would go a good way to showing the Department truly cares for the industry and sees a future for the whitefish sector. I trust, therefore, that Minister Cairns will do what is right and necessary by the whitefish fishermen.”

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Fishing