IFA Aquaculture Executive Richie Flynn said: “In identifying the key strategic link between the provision of home-grown quality seafood and direct employment benefits, the Commissioner has shown that common-sense and direct action is the way to break the long-standing log jam in farmed seafood production. By forcing each member state government to follow-up the EU policy with a progressive and realistic national plan, the Commission proposals show a clear path to the Irish government to reduce red tape, simplify procedures and produce high-end quality exports.”
The Commission document includes a “league table” of the length of time it takes to get a licence to farm in the EU.
Mr Flynn said: “The Irish Government should be ashamed of the fact that the space available on an A4 page was insufficient to illustrate the seven to eight years it currently takes to get a decision here. Ireland’s licensing system has become a black hole down which 600 applications have disappeared creating enormous frustration and anger around the coast. The communication from Commissioner Damanaki is a wake-up call to our administration who are asleep at the wheel when it comes to one of our most obvious sectoral opportunities for jobs and exports."
Mr Flynn concluded: “In proposing an EU-wide monitoring system to keep member states on their toes when it comes to licencing, the Commission has provided a hugely useful alternative to the “do-nothing” default position of successive Irish governments. Clear targets and oversight of our licencing system will at the very least embarrass the national authorities into action to produce licences and increase production around the coast in the face of more efficient and productive systems at work in competitor countries.”
Commissioner Damanaki also proposes particular monitored actions in the areas of marine spatial planning, enhancing the competitiveness of the industry through R&D and an emphasis on turning our strict environmental and health regulations to the competitive advantage of EU producers.
