Fish farming can create 2,000 jobs in five years, claims IFA
The Irish Farmers Association president Padraig Walshe told the conference in Kenmare, Co Kerry yesterday this would bring the numbers employed to 4,000 and double its value to €240 million.
But the Government must eliminate prolonged delays in the processing of licences and announce the National Development Plan scheme for the industry to bring all this about, he said.
Mr Walshe said the farmed seafood industry has enormous potential. Operators had achieved high standards of quality and traceability which were the envy of other industries.
This had been done in extremely difficult circumstances where the Government appeared to have turned its back.
“I am very disappointed that no progress has been made on the licensing question for over two years. It is also extremely frustrating for producers that the 2007-2013 NDP schemes for the sector have yet to be announced,” he said.
Mr Walshe said it is inexcusable the licensing logjam is growing daily and that not a single element of the Cawley plan for the industry has been implemented.
This means aquaculture cannot fulfil its promise of creating 30 jobs a month but will actually shed jobs and lose customers.
Not only is that a massive problem for the aquaculture sector, but in the current climate, it is the kind of slippage the rural economy and the country as a whole cannot afford.
Mr Walshe said Government ministers must know that they are being closely watched by thousands of families dependent on aquaculture from Cromane to Connemara and Dungarvan to Donegal.
“We must concentrate on those areas that can deliver real economic recovery. We must foster those companies who can create products from our natural resources.
“We must ensure that the Government delivers in every way for entrepreneurs who create jobs that can’t be moved to Asia or South America,” he said.
Minister of State Tony Killeen said there were difficulties in agreeing arrangements with the European Commission for licensing and regulating the sector in compliance with the habitats and birds directives. This had led to a backlog of licence applications.
There had been extensive discussions at various levels to resolve the issues including a bilateral meeting between Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith and the EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas.
Mr Killeen said his department was committing €1.4m this year to getting the necessary data collected in the Natura 2000 sites where aquaculture is taking place, to enable activities to be licenced fully in compliance with the directives.
He also announced he was committing €3.8m to supporting new aquaculture development projects this year. This grant aid should enable some 20 fish farming projects with a total investment of €8.5m to proceed.
