Ireland’s potential as world seafood leader threatened by delays over Habitats Directive
IFA Aquaculture has welcomed the launch of the government’s Operational Programme investment scheme to develop the fish and shellfish farming industry. Notwithstanding, it says the prolonged failure by government to meet EU rules regarding Habitats Directive areas “has resulted in blocking 80% of aquaculture companies” who operate in designated habitats areas from access to the capital investment scheme.
“Seafood companies in other EU countries who compete with us enjoy full access to the scheme, IFA Aquaculture executive secretary, Richie Flynn told Inshore Ireland.
He added that a “massive amount of work” needs to be done to re-establish Ireland as a “major” seafood producer in Europe.
“Geographically, environmentally and economically, we should be world seafood leaders. Jobs for local people, increasing exports and marketing top quality products are the key issues the government must focus on.”
Inward investment required
Flynn believes the “ambitious targets” set out by BIM and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food can only happen if Ireland can attract investment into production and processing.
“Potential investors have to see clear evidence of government support for the sector in practical terms, meaning licencing and funding,” he warned.
“The sector is disappointed and frustrated that it has had to wait since 2007 for this programme to be announced, because of the long delays in implementing solutions to redress the Habitats issue.
“The fact that Ireland was found guilty by the European Court of Justice for not properly establishing measures to licence fishing and aquaculture in its marine protected areas has cost the country dearly. Unfortunately, the only sector paying for this administrative failure is the aquaculture industry.”
Outstanding obligations
Flynn added that 80% of their members will not have access to this scheme because the government has yet to fulfil its obligations under the Habitats Directive.
“Until measures to carry out appropriate assessments in line with the Directive are in place, family-owned companies around the coast will be barred from access to grant aid for farm modernisation, eco-friendly production processes and marketing,” he stressed.
“While our competitors in Scotland, France, Spain and elsewhere have made serious progress in developing their industries under the 2007 European Fisheries Fund regulations, we are being told that work undertaken since 2007 is ineligible for aid.
“This further disincentive must be immediately reversed as there is no restriction in national or European law to disbar investment undertaken since the EU regulation was announced,” he said.
Separately, the Association said the new BIM strategy launched by Ministers Smith and Connick was an important step forward in the development of the Irish seafood sector.
Launching the strategy, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith attached a “high level of importance” on BIM’s transformation agenda and on the associated development measures contained within the Seafood National Programme.
He commended BIM for setting out “challenging targets” of delivery by 2012, including the creation of 600 jobs, an additional €50m in value-added seafood sales, and greater differentiation of 40,000 tonnes of Irish seafood products worth €120m.
“The seafood sector, [comprising] indigenous operators, will have a significant role to play in Ireland’s economic recovery. This strategy is a welcome addition to [other] strategies for the seafood sector, including Steering a New Course, Sea Change, as well as Food Harvest 2020.
State backing
Focusing on the National Programme, Minister of State, Sean Connick, said the measures were “the tools to enable the government and its agencies deliver on [its] objectives, placing Ireland in a “promising position” to capture emerging opportunities in international and domestic seafood markets.
“The programme envisages a significant State investment …from now until the end of 2013. A dedicated allocation of €6.5m is being made available for the remainder of 2010 for the development of the aquaculture and processing sectors.”
He added that the programme also facilitated access to other funding from Bord Bia for marketing; Enterprise Ireland for processing, and BIM for added-value, innovation and fisheries support.
Industry reaction
Chair of the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has welcomed the strategy, saying it represented “a credible approach” by BIM to deliver on its responsibilities towards realising the potential of the Irish seafood industry over the next three years.
“ We are pleased to see the industry’s views reflected in the strategy, and dispels the misconception that the fishing industry can only decline, by identifying specific programmes that have potential for significant development and job creation,” said Eiblín O’Sullivan.
“The fishing industry faces enormous difficulties, but these developments show there is a positive future if there is a combined will to overcome them and the required resources and support to shape a better future,” she said.
Tom Geoghegan, national secretary for the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association has also welcomed the two initiatives, and envisages “significantly increased State investment” in the processing and aquaculture sectors up to 2013.
“It is particularly important to achieve the key objective of providing a basis for the differentiation of quality Irish seafood on home and export markets through eco, organic and quality labelling,” he told Inshore Ireland.
