It is understood that the British Seafood group is challenging the application of levy to imports based on technical interpretation of the Fisheries Act, 1981.
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* "We are entirely confident of the merits of our case." |
Seafish Chairman Charles Howeson
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Defra has confirmed that it intends to apply to intervene in the case to assist the Court on the interpretation of the relevant legislation.
Seafish Chairman Charles Howeson said, We are entirely confident of the merits of our case. We will always vigorously defend our lawful authority and duty to collect levy from seafood companies as we have done since our inception by Act of Parliament. These monies are used to support the seafood industry for a sustainable, profitable future by creating research, training and promotional programmes for industry.
Meanwhile, its business as usual at Seafish which remains fully committed to delivering our three-year plan to support all sectors of the seafood industry.