26 January, 2008

SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott has criticised delays in releasing money from a fund worth around €17.62 million over five years to fisheries industries in the Highlands and Islands.

The European Fisheries Fund is due to replace the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance programme (FIFG) as a source of financial support.

In Holyrood this week it was announced that the programme will probably only become operational towards the end of 2008.

Mr Scott said: “I am concerned that the fund, which was supposed to run from the year 2007-08 to 20012-13, is not going to open until some time in the second half of 2008-09.

“The FIFG programme provided important funding for fishermen, fish processors and fish farmers. The gap between its ending and the hoped for start of the European Fisheries Fund has left these industries stranded.

“The Scottish fisheries minister, Richard Lochhead, seems to blame the delay on the UK government. He says that the fund will open to applications once the UK government has submitted, and the EC has approved, the UK operational programme.

“I suspect that Scottish Ministers could have done more to push this forward, given its importance to Scotland. They have certainly now got to do all they can to avoid any further slippage.”