The Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation (CFPO) has responded to the 5.5 year ‘adjustment period’ within the Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) by issuing a forward-looking statement of policies and aims covering 2021-2026.
The statement, issued to members and MPs last week, sets in stone the overarching priorities of the PO in supporting and protecting the interests of its members, marketing Cornish seafood, and building a strong future for the fishing industry. It also details 2021-specific goals, responding to key events and policy developments anticipated within the year.
Each year, from now through to the end of the TCA fisheries adjustment period, the PO has committed to issuing a further statement, holding both itself to account and providing a clear road map against which CFPO Chief Executive Paul Trebilcock expects to hold decision-makers and politicians to account.
‘It’s been a tough start to the year, but at the CFPO we wanted to take in the lay of the land, consider what the TCA and the Fisheries Act both mean for our members – on the water, in real terms – and deliver a positive, proactive plan to make sure we are continually working to strengthen fishing communities across Cornwall,’ he said.
‘Whether this is through innovative marketing of our sustainable catch, building local apprenticeship schemes, or committing to being on-top of legislative and policy development – we wanted to set out our goals publicly, invite discussion with members, and show Defra, politicians and others how we’ll be building up to the end of the adjustment period in 2026. We didn’t get what we wanted from the TCA, but we can still build new opportunities for the seafood sector in Cornwall.’
The CFPO statement of policies and aims is available here.
