Scottish seafood producers taking part in the European Seafood Exposition are hoping for a record year. (Photo: ESE)

Scottish industry hopes for EUR 23 mln boost at Brussels fair

The Scottish seafood industry hopes to generate more than GBP 20 million (EUR 22.6 million) of sales as an international fair gets under way in Brussels.

Scottish firms taking part in the European Seafood Exposition – which attracts buyers and sellers from more than 140 countries – are looking forward to a "record year" where demand outstrips supply.

The value of business generated from the exhibition has increased annually from GBP 16 million (EUR 18.1 million) in 2007 to GBP 20 million last year, the industry said, The Scotsman reports.

Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Our fishing and aquaculture sectors have worked hard to earn a reputation for quality, and the time has come to turn these plaudits into profits."

The SNP Government is promoting 2010 as a "year of food and drink" following last year's Homecoming cultural celebrations.

The fair is the largest in the world and will feature 17 companies from Scotland.

Meanwhile, Lochhead has criticised the UK Government for "rejecting" his request to represent Scotland at an informal European Union (EU) fisheries council meeting in Vigo, Spain.

A member of the House of Lords will go instead to the talks, which will include discussions on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Lochhead, who wants wholesale reform of the policy, said: "Scotland's fishing industry represents around 70 per cent of the UK's, and yet despite fisheries being devolved, our Government, our Parliament and coastal communities will be represented by a peer who has been drafted in at the last minute and has no background in fisheries."

By Denise Recalde
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
 

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