Irish support efforts on fuel costs – Fishupdate.com

Irish support efforts on fuel costs Published:  10 July, 2008

The Anglo-North Irish FPO Ltd (ANIFPO) has voiced its support for a series of proposals made by the European Commission (EC) yesterday, which attempt to deliver short-term aid to Europe’s fishing fleet, while positioning the industry for long-term higher fuel costs.

The ANIFPO believe that the EC’s proposals vindicate the position it took several months ago, when it called on local DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA to deliver a package of assistance to the local fishing fleet. At the end of February 2008, the ANIFPO submitted a series of proposals to the DARD Minister that included emergency measures and long-term proposals designed to help the fishing fleet adapt to increasing fuel costs, which today accounts for over 50% of a fishing vessel’s weekly earnings.

The EC’s Press Release states: “The Commission has singled out the fisheries sector for help upon a clear mandate from the European Council because of the unique situation that fishers are facing due to a unique combination of constraints on operations due to sustainability considerations, difficult market conditions and high fuel costs.”

The proposals will be discussed at next Tuesday’s EU Fisheries Council and along with organisations throughout Europe, the ANIFPO is calling upon all Fisheries Administrations including those in the UK to support the EC’s proposals.

The ANIFPO trusts that UK fishermen will not find themselves once again in a position where Europe agrees a package of aid that other Member States implement for their fishermen, but DARD refuse to extend to local fishermen.

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