Invitation to make Submissions on Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020

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The European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is the proposed new fund for the EU’s maritime and fisheries policies for the period 2014-2020. In line with the ambitious reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP), the Fund will help fishermen in the transition to sustainable fishing, and support coastal communities in diversifying their economies. It will finance projects that create new jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts. The new Fund will be used to co-finance projects, along with national funding. Each Member state will be allocated a share of the total Fund budget and then Member States will then draw up operational programmes, specifying how it intends to spend the money allocated.

As part of its preparations, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine is launching a consultation process on the Seafood Development Programme and submissions are invited from interested parties on this document, which is being drafted over the coming months.

This consultation exercise will inform the preparation of the Seafood Development Programme.  A further consultation will then be carried out which will give interested parties the opportunity to comment on the draft Programme document when it has been prepared.  This second consultation is likely to be held towards the end of 2013.

Further information on the consultation process and the Seafood Development Programme is contained in the attached document.

There are 2 parts to the process.

1.       Submissions on Key Questions

2.       SWOT Analysis Questionnaire (Guidance is attached in Annex 3)

All submissions should include the completed Annex 1 form which is attached to this document.  Additional comments may be appended to the Annex 1 form, but not exceeding 5 pages.

There is no requirement to respond to all of the headings covered in the Seafood Development Programme or the SWOT Analysis unless you wish to do so.

Submissions marked “Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 Consultation” in the Subject Line (not exceeding 5 pages in length) should be sent by email to sdp2014@agriculture.gov.ie.  Alternatively, you may post your response to:

 

Marine Agencies & Programmes Division,

Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine,

National Seafood Centre,

Clogheen,

Clonakilty,

Co. Cork

The consultation period close on  Friday,  6th September  2013.

Please bring the consultation process and this document to the attention of others who may wish to be involved.  During the consultation period, this document will be available on the Department’s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie