The United Kingdom is adding GBP 23 million (almost EUR 26 million) to compensate British fishermen for declining earnings from the Brexit. The money, which has to cover losses incurred since 1 January, is intended for SMEs which can demonstrate a substantial loss in exports to the European Union.
Companies can obtain a maximum amount of £ 100,000 (approximately EUR 112,000) per holding.
The export of fish has run into all kinds of problems since the British left the customs union. For example, customs forms must be completed and all kinds of health checks carried out. On Monday, fishermen protested at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office because of the problems.
According to the Trade Association Scotland Food and Drink Association, fish exporters can lose more than £ 1 million in sales per day. According to James Withers, the top man in the industry association, the fish market in the British fishing port Peterhead, Europe’s largest fish market, has become ‘a ghost town’. So far, 18% less fish have been landed there this year than last year in the same period.
The British government says that there are teething problems, which are exacerbated by the coronary artery disease, which has also affected the restaurant sector. Environment Minister George Eustice promised support to the fisheries sector on Tuesday. ‘We continue to work closely with the fisheries sector to ensure that it is supported and can continue to fish and contribute to the economies of our coastal sites.”