The future of the Government's £70 million whitefish fleet-renewal scheme has been secured by a compromise deal in Brussels on European Commission proposals for fleet cuts, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, says.
The deal, which was debated by EU fisheries ministers into the early hours yesterday, means the grant-aiding of new and modern fishing vessels will not depend on such stringent preconditions to reduce tonnage.
The commission was seeking a 130 per cent replacement capacity for new vessels, but has now accepted the principle of "one for one" replacement of old vessels for new.
Germany and France are understood to have supported Ireland in reaching an acceptable compromise, while Britain sided with the commission.
Welcoming the outcome, the Connacht-Ulster MEP, Mr Pat "the Cope" Gallagher, noted that the British government was "clearly not representing its fishermen". The proposal would have had "devastating consequences" for all EU memberstates, Mr Gallagher said.
The fleet parameters would have been much more restrictive than those already in operation, the Minister said in a statement, describing how he had "successfully faced down" the commission's move. Dr Woods said he also won European Fisheries Council support for a new initiative for young fishermen and for those engaged in small-scale coastal fishing.
Fishermen under 35 years of age will be allowed to apply for a premium valued up to €50,000. Owners of coastal vessels of up to 12 metres will also be able to apply for a €150,000 premium for development, he said.
A commission proposal to allow unlimited quantities of fresh, chilled or frozen herring imports at preferential rates of duty into the EU was also resisted. The Minister emphasised that he had secured agreement on a review clause under which the commission may take action to remedy "serious disturbances" on the EU herring market, including a review of preferential imports.
The Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation welcomed the outcome and paid tribute to the Minister. "This tonnage replacement issue was the fat lady in terms of the fishing industry," Mr Jason Whooley of the IS&WFO said. "If that lady had sung, it was the end of the road for further whitefish fleet development," he said.
