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Seafood Processing

GRIMSBY SEAFOOD CLUSTER SEEKS REASSURANCES

GRIMSBY SEAFOOD CLUSTER SEEKS REASSURANCES

Grimsby seafood cluster seeks reassurances over Brexit – in particular how their relationship will be affected with their closest trading partners of Iceland, Norway and the Faroes.

According to a recent report in the Grimsby Telegraph, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issued technical guidance in the summer saying it was working to make trade with the EU check-free on seafood produce even if there is a no-deal outcome.

A frictionless arrangement with the EU has been welcomed by north east Lincolnshire’s seafood industry but its greater concern is how fresh fish coming from the European Economic Area (EEA) will be treated after the UK’s exit from the bloc.

Simon Dwyer, spokesman for the representative body Seafood Grimsby and Humber, told those at a food event in Westminster last month that the processing cluster – which employs more than 5,000 people in the region – had approached the government for answers.

He confirmed that Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes, wrote to fisheries minister George Eustice last month on behalf of the seafood industry, calling for reassurances.

Mr Eustice has yet to reply to the letter but a Defra spokeswoman said the government was committed to continuing the current trading arrangements with Iceland and Norway.

“The government has consistently made clear that we want to preserve continuity in trade with our European neighbours, including non-EU member states such as Norway and Iceland, and the Faroe Islands,” said the spokeswoman.

“This is particularly important in the fisheries sector so as to ensure stability of supply for UK processing.”

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