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fuel help for fishing industry
15/07/2008
A package of measures to help fishermen faced with crippling fuel price increases was agreed by the European Fisheries Council today.
Speaking from Brussels, where he once again made clear the difficulties facing Scottish fishermen, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"The EU has today recognised the severe impact fuel prices are having on our fishermen. Over recent months, the Scottish Government has lobbied hard for European support and I am pleased that the issue is now firmly on its agenda.
"The package approved today provides a menu of options and there is much to digest and discuss with the industry. We also need to await the outcome of discussions on the financial detail, which will be crucial.
"Greater flexibility will be available over how we spend the European Fisheries Fund, worth £44 million to Scotland between now and 2013. That flexibility gives us more scope to use part of the Fund to help fishermen adapt to higher fuel prices, while acknowledging that the Scottish fleet has already downsized on a large scale in recent years.
"I met industry representatives in Brussels today and I intend to meet with our Fuel Task Force soon to discuss how these measures should be implemented in Scotland. We have promised a three-year plan to achieve a sustainable and profitable industry that has adapted to high fuel costs and is fit for the 21st century.
"While the financial aspects of the package are still to be decided, the Commission has indicated that additional funding may be found from European sources. It would be indefensible for the UK Government not to support the proposed allocation of European funds. My colleague John Swinney has recently written to the Treasury urging such a proposal is backed and that Scotland benefits from any allocation.
"The fishing industry supports thousands of people and communities across Scotland. In the face of the huge challenge of rising fuel prices we need to all we can to help it achieve a sustainable and successful future."