Government announces £23m funding for seafood exporters in wake of Brexit

The government has today announced that it is providing £23m of funding to support seafood exporters across the UK.

The funding will support businesses which have been affected by both the Covid-19 pandemic and the changes to exporting brought on by Brexit.

The scheme will be targeted at SMEs and the maximum claim available to individual operators will be £100k.

Support will be paid retrospectively to cover losses incurred since 1 January 2021. The Marine Management Organisation will administer the scheme on behalf of exporters across the UK. More details will be available on eligibility criteria in the coming days.

The government will be consulting industry across the UK and working with the devolved administrations on these eligibility criteria before they are confirmed.

Environment secretary, George Eustice, commented: “This £23m scheme will provide crucial support for fishermen and seafood exporters, who have experienced delays and a lack of demand for fish from the restaurant industry in the UK and Europe.

“We are continuing to work closely with the fishing and aquaculture sectors to make sure that they are supported, and can continue to fish whilst contributing to the economies of our coastal communities.”

Steve Barclay, chief secretary to the treasury, said: “This further £23m package of support will help our hardworking fishing sector navigate the challenges of the next few months.”

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