Support for the rural economy

Sea fisheries, aquaculture and processing businesses will receive a share of £8.4 million funding to boost growth and protect jobs in their area.

The latest round of the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) will deliver 86 projects which will help businesses to upgrade or modernise their equipment across Scotland.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing announced details of the funding as he embarked on a series of visits to meet local businesses as part of his summer tour.

The summer tour will include visits to highland shows at Keith, Grantown, the Black Isle, Nairn and Abernethy as well as to Forestry offices and Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) offices across the country to check on local progress towards rural payments.

Around £1.7 million EMFF grant has been awarded for the refurbishment of the Pierowall Pier in Westray, Orkney. This will support the work of 11 inshore vessels that supply the main processors on Westray and provide jobs for the community.

Other recipients of the funding include MJ French Fish Export Ltd in Fraserburgh, which will receive £362,000 grant to upgrade its processing facility, while a number of smaller grants will be used for fishermen to upgrade their safety equipment.

Mr Ewing said:

“Our rural economy plays a crucial role in supporting communities across the country which is why investment through the EMFF is so important.

“This support will help processing businesses to expand and enhance their work and make the day to day routines of fishermen easier and safer, by improving the quality of its products and enabling them to develop more environmentally friendly methods.

“I will continue to put pressure on the UK Government to engage Scotland on its thinking regarding future funding arrangements in order that we can shape a set of arrangements which respond to Scotland’s needs and reflect the devolved nature of marine policy.”

The full list of projects to receive funding across Scotland is [available]:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/grants-subsidies/awards/EMFFTransparency