Bertie Armstrong, SFF chief executive, said: "It is likely that that the Council will approve a financial support package for European fishing fleets. But financial aid to member states will be conditional on co-funding from national governments.

"It is essential that we receive a commitment from our Governments for such funding, otherwise the Scottish fishing fleet will be left behind.

"We know that the package will include 'fleet adaptation' measures. This will include decommissioning, although we are pleased that the Commission does recognise that fleets that have already undergone substantial restructuring in recent years - such as the Scottish fleet - should have this factor taken into account.

"How this translates into actual help will be a matter for urgent discussion with the Scottish Government."

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend