Scottish Government cash boost for seafood sector welcomed
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE Scottish seafood sector has been handed a shot in the arm worth almost £2 million to help it recover from Brexit and the pandemic.
Funding of £1.8 million from the Scottish Government, which will be managed by trade marketing body Seafood Scotland, will support seafood businesses to access new markets within the UK and abroad, including campaigns in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
The work will also include developing a strategy to encourage sustainability and improve quality assurance and accreditation of seafood produce.
As major international trade events begin again, together with a number of virtual online events, these platforms will enable Seafood Scotland to engage with buyers to experience first-hand the broad range of seafood available.
In Scotland, ‘buy local, support local’ campaigns will also encourage growth in the domestic market, capitalising on rising demand for seafood provenance and quality.
As the hospitality industry continues to re-open, Seafood Scotland will form close links with leading chefs, working alongside them to make Scottish seafood a prized, premium item on menus across the globe.
News of the funding was welcomed by Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP, Karen Adam.
She said: “Brexit has been disastrous for the seafood sector after the Tories sold our fishing industry down the river, particularly after the array of new trade barriers that have been implemented since.
“From Buckie to Boddam, the seafood sector is vital in the local economy of Banffshire and Buchan Coast and beyond. Our priority is to safeguard the livelihoods of the people here who are employed in the fishing industry.
“This funding will support the sector’s long term recovery from the failings of Brexit and will help promote Scotland’s world renowned seafood sector.”
Announcing the funding, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon commented: “The last 16 months have been devastating for businesses in the seafood sector who have faced significant losses due to hospitality closures from Covid-19 and a raft of new trade barriers and bureaucracy following Brexit.
“The seafood sector is a crucial part of our rural economy, supporting jobs in coastal communities and our priority has been to protect people’s livelihoods.
“While we continue to work to resolve some of the export issues the sector faces, this new funding will help the sector’s longer term recovery from these recent challenges.
“The funding for Seafood Scotland will help businesses explore new markets, giving them the support to promote their products across the UK and further afield.”
Donna Fordyce, Chief Executive of Seafood Scotland said:
“The Scottish seafood supply chain is now firmly in recovery mode, with ambitious plans to access new markets and to grow existing trade relationships.
“Our role is to support them on this journey, opening doors to new opportunities, and to spread the word about the quality of our produce, which is prized the world over.”
