Fish farming has great potential to provide jobs and boost the nation economy. The Irish Farmers Association declared that the government must avail the opportunity to create 2,000 jobs in fish and shellfish farming. John Bryan, president, said the IFA presented a 10-point plan aimed at doubling the output of the €120 million industry to Marine Minister Tony Killeen at a meeting in Dublin.
He informed that the plan calls for the revitalisation of a high quality sustainable industry around the coast as a critical move towards saving remote communities and supplying vital raw material for seafood processors. It is said that there are 859 shellfish and finfish licence applications awaiting approval, which means thousands of jobs, investment and exports.
According to Bryan the IFA needs a Government commitment that remaining blockages to licencing and grant aid are dealt with immediately. He added that Bord Bia and BIM must invest in the Irish aquaculture quality assurance schemes to encourage full participation and recognition at producer, processor and retail level.
Jan Feenstra, chief executive, Marine Harvest, the country’s largest aquaculture producer, said the inter-departmental Marine Co-ordinating Group, set up last year by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, must publicly set out a plan to defend and develop seafood jobs and exports.
