Ireland holds onto current fisheries funding level to 2027

The European Council and Parliament have provisionally agreed the text of the €6.1bn European Maritime Fisheries & Aquaculture Fund (2021-2027) to promote sustainable development of the European Union’s seafood sector.

Over €5bn will be allocated to fisheries, aquaculture and fishing fleets; the remainder will cover measures including scientific advice, controls and checks, market intelligence, maritime surveillance and security.

Welcoming the deal, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, said Ireland was set to receive €142m, along with exchequer co-funding.

“This is very good news for Ireland’s fishermen, fish farmers, processors and coastal communities.  The departure of the UK has significantly reduced the overall EU budget, so it is all the more pleasing that we have succeeded in broadly maintaining funding for our seafood sectors at the previous high levels.

“My Department has been working hard to put together a new Seafood Development Programme for the 2021-27 period and this development will allow the remaining elements of that Programme to be advanced, in consultation with our stakeholders, with a view to adoption of the new Programme later in 2021.”