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First meeting of Fuel Task Force
30/05/2008
Urgent work to help the fishing industry cope with rising fuel prices gathered pace today.
The Fuel Task Force, part of the Scottish Government's five-point action plan to combat the impact of fuel costs on fishermen, met for the first time in Edinburgh.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"We need to do all we can to ensure the renewed confidence that has developed in the fishing industry over the past year is not completely undone by increased fuel prices.
"That's why I recently announced an action plan to help the industry cope. As well as making money available immediately for non-fuel costs, I also established the Fuel Task Force to look at what else can be done in the short and medium term to give the sector a profitable and sustainable future.
"The Task Force begins its work today and I will be looking for it to bring forward ideas quickly. I expect it to identify actions not only for the Scottish Government but also for the UK Government, which has the ability to reduce fuel costs, and for Europe.
"I will be meeting with James Brown, the Task Force chairman, early next week to find out what issues were discussed at the first meeting and to share thoughts about the way forward."
The Fuel Task Force was announced on May 12 as part of a five-point action plan to help the Scottish fishing sector counter the effects of rising fuel costs.
The Task Force is chaired by James Brown of Caley Fisheries, who is also Vice President of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation. The other members are:
- Allan Burns - Scotland Food and Drink
- 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.