Jim Portus

FISHERIES Ministers meeting in Luxembourg today are being watched by fishing industry representatives from all over Europe, hoping for a lifeline of financial support to enable survival in a crisis situation of ever-rising fuel costs, a leading industry figure said today.

But Jim Portus, the chief executive of the South Western Fish Producers' Organisation and present Chairman of the UK Association of Fish Producer Organisations, added that at a briefing last night with UK Fisheries Minister, Jonathan Shaw and other UK Ministers,Mr Shaw made it clear to UK delegates that he does not intend to support an increase in "de minimus" payments that has been proposed.

Mr Portus added: " His view is that such an increase would deplete aid for more permanent and long-term restructuring. Furthermore, if other countries do adopt higher de minimus payments, it would put the UK at an even deeper competitive disadvantage, as he (Shaw) has no intention of tapping into such short-term relief."

Mr Portus said that Scottish Minister, Richard Lochhead had reiterated his support for the fishermen, and said he will continue to explore potential short, medium and longer term support for one of Scotland's most important sectors.

The Scottish Fuel Task Force is the vehicle for studying the effects of the crisis and for proposing solutions.

Mr Portus said today's Council of Ministers has a lengthy agenda and the fuel crisis is the last item under any other business.

But the fishing industry hopes that the agenda will be shuffled to allow earlier consideration of this vital issue.

At 2pm today, the European Fishing Action Group meets in Luxembourg to discuss the continuing crisis and to hear updates from the Council proceedings.

The Council building in Luxembourg has been sealed off with three cordons of security fencing, Mr Portus added, and police are out in numbers to ensure no fishing industry demonstrations get close enough to Ministers to disrupt their deliberations.

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