English aquaculture businesses producing seafood for the
food supply chain may now apply for grants up to a maximum
of £10,000 per farm from the government’s £10 million
Fisheries Response Fund.
The £10 million fund for
England’s fishing and aquaculture sectors, first
announced by Defra and HM Treasury on 17 April, supports
fishing and aquaculture businesses that have been adversely
impacted by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Around £1 million of the Fisheries Response Fund (FRF) has
been allocated to payments towards aquaculture businesses
operating costs. The grants of up to £10,000 will directly
contribute to ongoing production costs.
Fisheries Minister, , said:
“Aquaculture businesses are a significant part of England’s
seafood industry – supporting local jobs as well as quality
produce for consumption at home and export around the
world.
“These grants from our £10 million Fisheries Response Fund
will make a real difference to these businesses, ensuring
that they can continue to operate and support both our
export trade and the economy of many local communities.”
The fund is being administered by the Marine Management
Organisation (MMO) on behalf of Defra.
Tom McCormack, Chief Executive of the Marine Management
Organisation, said:
“MMO has mobilised quickly to deliver three financial
support schemes.
“In the last two weeks, we’ve actioned all Fisheries
Respond Fund applications received from the catch sector
(so far, making payments directly to over 1,100 fishing
vessel owners with a value of nearly £4m); launched the new
£1m Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme to support projects that
support the sales and consumption of locally caught fish;
and are now about to start administering payments to
qualifying aquaculture businesses.
“Our key focus is to ensure this significant financial
support gets to fisheries and aquaculture businesses as
quickly and smoothly as possible.”
This final part of the FRF scheme is focussed on supporting
aquaculture business that are active shellfish or trout
farms in England, holding a business and a farm Fish Health
Inspectorate (FHI) authorisation number, and who produce
shellfish and trout for direct human consumption.
From Thursday, 7 May 2020, eligible businesses will be
contacted directly by MMO with further details on how to
apply.
For further information on the fund criteria and
eligibility, please see the guidance.
