The NFFO has written urgently to fisheries ministers making the case for a further tranche of financial support under the Fisheries Response Fund
NFFO letter to:
Secretary of State George Eustice MP
Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis MP
Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis MP
Dear Secretary of State/ Minister
Financial Support
Your department and the Marine Management Organisation can take due credit for successfully pulling together an evidence-based case to the Treasury for the industry package of financial support announced in April.
It is deeply regrettable, but not entirely unforeseen, that I now have to make the case to you for a further tranche of support.
Covid related market disruption, border issues related to the UK’s departure from the EU single market and customs union, and the pre-existing lack of resilience in parts of the fleet due to successive periods of bad weather, all combine to put many fishing businesses in a financially parlous position.
Against this background, we request that you give urgent consideration to a further approach to the Treasury to release tranche funds to keep our sector afloat financially.
The purpose, as with the initial package of support, would be to ensure the survival of fishing businesses faced with fixed costs and reduced income, so that we have an industry when the pandemic recedes, and trading relationships settle down.
I look forward to your early reply.
Barrie Deas
Chief Executive