10 July 2006
Senator Philip Ozouf, Minister for Economic Development, has confirmed his commitment to assist Jersey’s shellfish export industry to restructure its transport arrangements in the wake of Sogestran’s withdrawal from the Jersey / France route.
In order to implement that decision, applications are to be invited to the Rural Initiative Scheme with a closing date of 31 July and an advert has been placed in the Jersey Gazette.
The scheme has been extended to cover, hitherto excluded, non land dependent shellfish exporters. At present oyster farming is covered by the scheme but production and export of other shellfish such as whelks, crab and lobster was not.
This approach ensures that all shellfish exporters are eligible to apply for a grant to assist them where necessary to change their transport arrangements for exports to France and permit applications to be assessed in a structured way.
Senator Ozouf said: “such an initiative is designed to ensure members of our shellfish exporters industry are given assistance to overcome the problems of exporting their valuable produce to France as a result of Sogestran’s withdrawal from Jersey. Economic Development is committed to helping the industry. I’m pleased to extend the Rural Initiative Scheme to support them under these circumstances.”
For further comment please contact: Senator Philip Ozouf on: Tel - 07797 713838.
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