Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, has begun formal consultation on proposals for a new levy model.
The levy helps provide support and services across the UK’s seafood supply chain and is due at the first sale of seafood, landed or imported. It is currently not charged on farmed salmon or trout, freshwater species nor canned, bottled and pouched products.
The levy system has been in place unchanged since 1999 with Seafish identifying in 2021 that a review was wise so that the industry’s needs could continue to be met.
“After our informal consultation last year, we have taken industry feedback on board and made further revisions to refine the proposed levy adjustments,” explained Mike Sheldon, chair of the Seafish board.
“While we appreciate that the seafood industry is under financial pressure, our proposed changes strike a good balance, minimising impacts on the industry while allowing us to effectively support the seafood sector as an organisation.”
Statutory consultation will be open for twelve weeks until 9 August after which Seafish will make formal recommendations to government. Seafish has also launched an online survey and will be hosting a series of webinars explaining the proposed changes.
Details of the changes can be found at Seafish’s website.
