OYSTER farmers from around the coast have claimed that sustainable jobs and exports are being put at risk by continuing Government delays in resolving licensing and funding issues.

A PROPOSAL by An Bord Snip to dissolve BIM has been criticised by shellfish and fin fish farmers around the coast.

THE proposed dismantling of Bord Bia – the Irish Food Board – was described yesterday as inexplicable and counter-productive.

A PLAN to revitalise Europe’s fish farming industry after years of stagnation says the business could be a golden opportunity for jobs and production, but red tape must be reduced and planning restrictions eased.

THIRTY jobs a month are being lost due to Government inaction to develop the salmon and shellfish sector, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was told by a delegation from the Irish Farmers Association’s Aquaculture Section.

THE Government’s handling of the introduction of a new law to manage the health status of Irish farmed fish and shellfish stocks has been severely criticised by the industry as a “botched job”.

A STRATEGY to support a sustainable fish and shellfish farming sector is vital to redress the balance of seafood imports into the European Union, according to the Irish Farmers Association.

A DECISION to set up a group to oversee a long-awaited seafood strategy initiative has been praised by the body representing the €110 million Irish aquaculture sector.

THE IRISH Examiner (July 1) published a letter from a Dr Roderick O’Sullivan that was completely erroneous, and was highly damaging to the reputation and image of a clearly identifiable Irish company and to an entire sector of the Irish seafood business.

Marine Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher today opened the first meeting of the reactivated Aquaculture Forum.