IFA calls for single organisation to deal with aquaculture job creation

A farming body has urged a single accountable body must be made responsible to government for breaking down the barriers to businesses creating jobs and exports from aquaculture.

IFA president Eddie Downey has called on Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to urgently pull all the State agencies and departments together to solve the licensing problem in shellfish farming.

“The agencies must be given a single task of meeting the Harvest 2020 and Ocean Wealth targets,” said Mr Downey.

He was speaking in Dublin at the opening of the 25th anniversary conference of the Irish Shellfish Association, a part of the IFA, whose members from around the coast farm oysters, mussels, and other shellfish worth over €50m, employing 1,548 people.

He said Mr Coveney has set ambitious targets to deal with the licensing backlog and IFA needs to see delivery by way of renewals being processed and the entire backlog sorted within 18 months.

“His agencies have told us this is possible and he must ensure the will and resources are there to deliver,” he said.

Mr Downey said that shellfish producers were frustrated with delays in working progress with excessive and unnecessary bureaucracy. Mr Downey said the leadership of State organisations representing the sector must take responsibility.