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CONSERVATIVE Shadow Minister Richard Benyon said
the Newlyn fishing community has entered a new golden era in its search
for a change.
The member for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs visited the port last week with MEP Julie Girling and St
Ives parliamentary candidate Derek Thomas.
He
promised an audience of around a dozen members of the fishing community
that he would do all he could to help struggling fleets around the UK.
He
talked about the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which it is hoped
will make a significant difference in the quota laws. The review, which
is based on an analysis of the achievements and shortcomings of the
current policy, is anticipated to make the policy more efficient in
ensuring the economic viability of the European fleets.
He
said: "I do not have a silver bullet that will solve all the problems
but I promise we're straight forward, open and accessible because part
of the problem is that people feel that they do not get their views
heard. I want fishermen in Newlyn to feel that their sons and grandsons
can enter the industry and feel there's a long term future.
"At the moment you can't plan a year ahead.
"There's urgency about it and I want to sort this out."
Mr Benyon 's vows were met by a mixture of scepticism and optimism.
Paul
Trebilcock, CEO of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, said the
industry needed radical changes but reminded the minister that the
forthcoming elections would provide the real test.
Nick Howell, of Pilchard Works, said the industry must remain positive.
The
shadow minister was accompanied by MEP Julie Girling and the
Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for St Ives, Derek
Thomas.
Mr Thomas said: "Many livelihoods depend on
Cornwall's fishing industry yet it is an industry in need of urgent
effective action.
"Fishermen must be given far greater control over the future of the industry and fast."
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN
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