Seafish has proposed changes to its levy following industry feedback that it funding needs to be fairer and more equitable.
The last levy change was almost 25 years ago and has contributed to a reduction in the public body’s spending power of almost 55%, says Seafish, he public body which supports the UK’s seafood industry.
“The last change to the levy was in 1999 and if rates had moved with inflation, then Seafish’s levy income would now be worth £16.8m,” said Mike Sheldon, chair of the Seafish Board.
“This equates to a reduction in our spending power of almost 55% which is eroding our capacity to deliver the support the industry wants and needs.
“Based on feedback from the industry, we are proposing changes to the Seafish levy to ensure we can continue to deliver the valuable work we do to help the seafood industry to thrive.”
The levy is paid on the first sale of seafood in the UK. Different species pay different rates and some, such as freshwater fish like salmon, trout and tilapia, are excluded, as are imported canned and bottled fish.
More money would enable Seafish to better support the industry, it says. Seafish currently takes £7.2m per year but needs an income of £9.1m per year to maintain existing services in the future.
Extra funding taking the income to £11m per year would deliver extra support, such as helping the industry respond to climate and geopolitical crises, better protection against labour abuses, and provide fishing advisors to support the UK fleet.
Revised levy proposal
Following an informal consultation Seafish is recommending:
- A reduction in proposed levy increase on pelagic species, cockles, whelks and mussels from 1p per kg to 0.5p per kg.
- Levy would be taken on imported canned, bottled and preserved species containing levy species.
- Inflationary adjustment of 2% each year would be implemented to ensure levy value does not decrease in value over time.
- A minimum levy threshold of £100 per year.
