Fishermen furious as fuel bill plea is thrown out

Published on Tuesday 3 June 2008 21:18

ANGRY fishermen yesterday complained of "a lack of political will" by Westminster after failing to secure immediate help to meet soaring fuel bills.

The criticism came after talks in London between Jonathan Shaw, the UK fisheries minister, and industry representatives.

As they met the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), dozens of protesters from Scotland, north-east England, Cornwall and Northern Ireland gathered outside.

Later, the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) said its demand for short-term financial aid had been "flatly rejected" by Mr Shaw.

Bertie Armstrong, the SFF's chief executive, said: "This is a massive blow to our industry and comes against the background of French and Spanish boats, who have been given help by their government, fishing in the same waters for the same fish that we catch and delivering it into the same markets.

"It is not a case of resources not being available but more lack of political will on the part of the UK government."

The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and the SFF say the impact of the fuel crisis on fishing vessels has gone "beyond critical" and that boats cannot operate viably at current fuel-price levels.

A Defra spokesman said: "We do not underestimate the difficulties many fishermen face

… Jonathan Shaw is working with fishermen to find solutions."