Departmental Funding

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Questions (186)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

186. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that the European Commission has now triggered Article 26 of the EMFAF Regulation allowing for compensation for fisheries and aquaculture for income forgone and additional costs during exceptional events, will the Minister establish a funding mechanism to assist aquaculture producers facing increased costs impacting their business such as, increase in feed costs, energy costs, transport & logistics costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35723/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

On 15 April 2026, the Commission adopted an Implementing Decision, C(2026) 25131, under Article 26(2) of Regulation (EU) 2020/1139 establishing the occurrence of an exceptional event, to trigger the crisis mechanism of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

The support package as announced by Minister Heydon on 12 April 2026 will focus on fuel costs for registered fishing and aquaculture vessels and is being implemented under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF). The Government has focused on alleviating the impact of the increase in the price of fuel as efficiently and effectively as possible. No consideration is being given to implement a further scheme under Article 26(2) of the EMFAF Regulation.