Irish aquaculture demands support and reform
Ireland’s minister for agriculture, food and the marine, Charlie McConalogue, has been urged to pledge meaningful support for the country’s aquaculture sector in light of the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, the ongoing threat of a no-deal Brexit and the urgent need for regulatory reform of the sector’s licensing system.
The call came from Michael Mulloy, chair of the aquaculture branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA Aquaculture), ahead of its annual general meeting today.
Mulloy said: “This has been a tough year for aquaculture producers. It is now almost six months since the EU Commission amended regulations to allow member states to redirect available EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund) funds in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Unlock potential
“Irish aquaculture, the shellfish sector in particular, continues to be impacted by the ongoing market disruption with many shellfish enterprises at serious risk. Minister McConalogue must immediately redirect available EMFF funds as financial aid for the Irish aquaculture industry to support them in this challenging time.
“The Minister must follow through on Programme for Government commitments to implement reform of the aquaculture licensing system. Aquaculture must align with the ongoing process of creating a marine planning framework.
“The sector needs the support of policymakers to achieve real, sustainable development to unlock the future potential of the industry. We look forward to discussing this with the Minister at our annual AGM.”
Salmon farming
IFA Aquaculture’s AGM will take place online for the first time, with McConalogue and IFA president Tim Cullinan in attendance to address IFA members.
Salmon farming is Irish aquaculture’s highest-earning sector, and its biggest player, Mowi, made more per kilo from its organically-grown Irish fish than from those in Norway, Scotland, Chile, Canada or the Faroes in the last quarter.
But the industry has been frustrated by the glacial pace of a licensing system which has prevented meaningful expansion for the past decade.
Shellfish farmers in the country, who rely more heavily on the food service market, have been hard hit by the shutdowns and limitations imposed on the hospitality industry to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
EMFF grants
Earlier this month McConalogue announced EMFF grants worth €1.4 million to support a total investment of €4.9m in eight seafood processing companies.
These included a grant of €463,899 towards the €1.7m cost of salmon processing equipment and factory reconfiguration at Keohane Seafoods Unlimited, a family-owned processor in Cork.
McConalogue acknowledged at the time that 2020 had been a difficult year for the seafood sector.
He said his department’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund programme is still open for business and continues to provide grants for a wide range of investments in Ireland’s seafood sector, including capital investment, innovation, business planning and marketing. However, he made no mention of using EMFF money to help out cash-strapped seafood businesses.
