Announcement by Minister McConalogue of a Covid-19 Aquaculture Support Scheme Welcome

IFA Aquaculture Chairman, Michael Mulloy welcomed the announcement at today’s IFA Aquaculture AGM, by Minister Charlie McConalogue, of a Covid-19 financial support scheme for rope mussel and oyster farmers.

Michael Mulloy said, “The impact of the Covid-19 crisis has been significant on the Irish Aquaculture sector. Shellfish have been particularly affected due to face market uncertainty. IFA Aquaculture lobbied at EU level for amendments to rules for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), introduced in April 2020. We welcome the announcement from Minister McConalogue today of a Covid-19 Aquaculture Support Scheme for the Irish shellfish producer”.

Announcing the new support scheme, Minister McConalogue said he anticipated that BIM would be inviting applications in early November and intend to pay successful applicants in 2020.