Hazzard slams ‘unacceptable’ proposed investment in North’s fishing fleet
Sinn Féin South Down MP Chris Hazzard has slammed the British government’s proposed distribution of the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, calling the allocation for the North ‘inadequate and unacceptable‘.
It has been confirmed that the Executive will receive only £10 million over 12 years from the fund.
Mr Hazzard said he has written to British Secretaries of State Hilary Benn and Emma Reynolds.
Chris Hazzard MP said: “This is clearly inadequate and totally unacceptable to address the significant challenges facing our local fishing industry.
“Brexit has been disastrous for our local fishing industry, robbing it of essential funding and support.
“This allocation from the British government fails to address the needs of our fishing communities following our forced exit from the European Union.
“I have written to the British government demanding a reconsideration of this allocation to more fairly reflect the role played by the North’s fishing industry.
“The County Down fleet is the beating heart of the North’s fishing industry, and it deserves proper investment to train the next generation of fishers and re-invigorate our coastal communities.
“This pathetic allocation is further evidence of the British government’s systemic disinterest in the North and our people.
“It is a token gesture that will do little to secure the sustainable, long-term future of our hardworking fishing communities.”
