IFA Aquaculture calls on minister for action on jobs and development

Chairman of the Irish Shellfish Association, Flor Harrington, told Minister Connick that the industry was ready and waiting to expand and contribute to the local and national economy but bureaucratic delays in his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service were causing serious problems for companies right around the coast.

 Harrington said the Minister and the Government had the opportunity to create a thriving industry based on high quality farmed shellfish and fish but the industry was totally frustrated with the delays in processing licence renewals and transfers and the three-year wait to open the capital grant aid scheme for producers to modernize and develop.

 Speaking while overlooking the productive shellfish growing waters of the Waterford Estuary, Mr Harrington said he and his fellow ISA representatives from around the coast looked forward to working with Minister Connick and that the Government had to focus on indigenous industries like aquaculture with job creation potential.

 IFA Aquaculture has made detailed proposals to Government and opposition parties on action to progress licencing and the development of the sector which will be cost neutral, bring in additional 100 million euro in export revenue and create a further 2,000 jobs.