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Fuel Task Force
23/05/2008
The membership of the Fuel Task Force, set up to look urgently at what more can be done to help Scottish fishermen cope with fuel price increases, was announced today.
The Task Force will be chaired by James Brown, Vice President of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, and includes representatives from the fishing industry as well as important associated sectors such as haulage and sales.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"The fishing industry supports thousands of people and communities throughout Scotland. In the face of the huge challenge of rising fuel prices we need to do all we can to sustain the renewed confidence that has developed in the industry over the last year.
"The Task Force was an integral part of the five-point action plan which I announced recently to help the industry deal with high fuel costs. It will look at what can be done by all levels of government, industry and other associated sectors to reduce fuel and non-fuel costs and improve fuel efficiency.
"I want to see ideas brought forward very soon and I am grateful to those who have agreed to be on the Task Force for enabling us to get things up and running so quickly.
"Scotland expects the full support of the UK Government and Europe in taking forward the recommendations which come forward.
"The work of the Task Force, together with the £700,000 I made available immediately for non-fuel costs, will help the industry cope and identify what needs to be done in the short and medium term to give the sector a profitable and sustainable future. In the meantime I will continue to make the industry's case with the UK Government, which has the ability to reduce fuel costs, and in Europe."
The Task Force is due to hold its first meeting on May 30, 2008.
The membership of the Task Force is:
- James Brown (Chair) - Caley Fisheries, Vice President Scottish Fishermen's Federation
- Euan Beaton - MacDuff Shellfish
- Jim Cook - D R Collin and Son
- Derek Duthie - Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association
- John Hermse - Mallaig and North West Fishermen's Association
- Billy Hughes - Fife Fishermen's Association
- Brian Isbister - Shetland Fish Producers Organisation
- Mike Park - Scottish White Fish Producers Association
- Tony Usher - Highland Council
- John Wallace - Peterhead Port Authority
- Paul Williams - Seafish
- Sir Ian Wood -The Wood Group
The Task force's remit is to advise the Cabinet Secretary on the practical steps which need to be taken in response to the increase in fuel prices to ensure a profitable and sustainable future for the Scottish fishing sector.
By August the Task Force will advise on:
- Action by all parts of the industry, associated sectors and all levels of government to reduce the cost of fuel
- A fuel efficiency scheme, in particular incentives to be offered under the European Fisheries Fund for steps designed to reduce fuel consumption
- Further reductions in non-fuel costs
By February 2009 the Task Force will advise on longer-term issues such as fishing practices and the transportation of produce to markets.