Emergency aid for fishermen to be agreed by EC

FISHERMEN whose livelihoods are threatened because of the big jump in fuel prices are to be thrown a lifeline by the European Commission.

An emergency package of measures to tackle the immediate hardship being suffered by people in the industry will be put to fisheries ministers next week.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Brendan Smith and Junior Minister Tony Killeen meet European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg in Strasbourg today to discuss the crisis.