Scottish seafood sector gets EU funding, minister calls for Brexit assurances

Fishing groups across Scotland are to benefit from GBP 11.4 million (USD 15.1 million, EUR 13.5 million) of European funding to help deliver economic growth, confirmed Fergus Ewing, the country’s Rural Economy Secretary.

The funding is part of the first round of the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and will support 65 projects across the country, enabling investment of up to GBP 48 million (USD 63.6 million, EUR 57 million) in sea fisheries, aquaculture and processing industries.

“E.U. funding is a lifeline to many of our fragile coastal communities and helps to create and sustain jobs in the fishing sector. This funding package will provide crucial support for fishermen, sustainable aquaculture, the processing sector and the communities and jobs which depend on them. It will also benefit our renowned seafood by helping to promote Scottish produce on the world stage to premium markets,” said Ewing.

Ewing said he was still seeking assurances from U.K. government officials that this and future European Union funding will be guaranteed if and when the United Kingdom leaves the E.U.

“This is particularly important given the uncertainty created by Brexit, and we need assurances from the U.K. government that EMFF funding will be guaranteed for commitments running to 2020," he said. "In the absence of clarity from the U.K. government, I will do all that I can to provide certainty and reassurance to the industry and get on with the day-to-day business of government.”