Financial support of nearly £800,000 for fishing industry backed by north MSP
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
FUNDING of almost £800,000 in support for the fishing and marine industry has been welcomed by north MSP, Maree Todd.
She said the money from the Scottish Government – part of an overall £14 million package to help mitigate the financial impact of Brexit and the coronavirus on the industry – will help businesses adversely affected in the area.
The Caithness, Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP, said: "Many food and drink businesses in my constituency have been adversely impacted by Brexit, where the consequences continue to surface. From a lack of HGV drivers to skill shortages in both production and manufacturing – the sector is bearing the brunt of the Tories damaging Brexit deal.
"In January of this year, we saw many local fish and seafood businesses on the brink of collapse, following the UK’s abrupt exit from the EU on December 31. Still to this day we are seeing the impact of this act of extraordinary recklessness which continues to hurt the local Highland economy."
The seafood industry believes export health certificates, customs clearance and transportation documents, prompted by Brexit, will cost the sector between £7 million and £15 million each year.
Mrs Todd said: "The additional funding of almost £800,000 will help many businesses recover from Brexit and the pandemic, while supporting sustainable methods and practices."
She pointed out that the annual Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight event takes place between Saturday 4 and Sunday 19 September with the aim of celebrating Scottish producers and highlighting the importance of local produce to consumers.
The MSP said: "The food and drink industry is one of the true success stories of Scotland’s economy, generating a turnover of almost £15 billion.
"Here in the Highlands we produce some of the best food and drink anywhere in the world. We know the benefits of locally produced food goes well beyond the plate too – local production has enormous potential to enrich lives, improve diets, reduce food miles and keep value in communities.
"I was pleased to see sustainability at the forefront of the Holyrood debate on food and drink in Scotland last week ahead of Food and Drink Fortnight.
"Through encouraging more locally-based production and circular supply chains, we can reduce the distance food travels, as well as enabling more people to be able to get out and grow their own food," she added.
