The WFA-CPC and its members have worked with Welsh Government to press this issue with Defra and now the government sees the need for a ‘seafood crisis intervention scheme’ if the UK departs the EU without a deal. See article: https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-fishing-industry-compensation-scheme-no-deal-brexit/ and below.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed a contract, unearthed using the Tussell government procurement database, with British-based tech firm Equiniti for a system to “disburse hardship funding.”
Britain exports most of the fish it catches, mainly to the EU. But new customs processes and border delays in the event of a no-deal Brexit could mean fresh fish rotting on land before it reaches the Continent. The industry is hoping for compensation from the government for any losses in that event.
The £49,000 contract to deliver a “seafood crisis intervention scheme” was agreed in October, with the project aimed for completion by the end of the year. The actual hardship funding has not yet been allocated, but a team is being formed to undertake the work.
Barry Deas, the chief executive of the National Federation for Fishermen’s Organisations, said: “It is good to hear that precautionary measures are being put in place to protect vulnerable parts of the U.K. fishing industry, should they be needed. We hope of course, that a smooth transition to the new, post-Brexit, arrangements will be achieved.”