Clarification sought on seafood compensation scheme details

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has written to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, to demand urgent clarification on the detail of an announced compensation scheme for seafood exporters suffering losses due to Brexit trade disruption.

In the letter Mr Carmichael highlighted the lack of information on how businesses can access the scheme and concerns about the cap on claims.

Commenting on the letter, Mr Carmichael said: “We need immediate clarity on the detail of the compensation scheme. I have already heard of businesses which have taken losses saying they do not think they will be able to access the support so clear guidance is vital.

“Funds to make good the losses incurred by local businesses are welcome but they are only part of the story. It is welcome news that groupage shipments are starting to move again but isles companies tell me that they cannot see a return to a “Day 1 – Day 2” service for small groupage any time soon. If slower service becomes the norm then it undermines the outstanding freshness isles seafood is known for – a long-term risk to our competitiveness.”

He continued: “We need to work together to find common sense solutions to reduce the red tape for exporters. It cannot be beyond the wit of man to fix some of these issues – I will keep working with local businesses to make the case to DEFRA for a better system going forward.”