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Seaweed deal needs to be explained
- MEP
09.05.14
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MEP Marian Harkin has
urged the Government to say whether any exclusive
seaweed harvesting rights have been granted to a
foreign private company. |
She was expressing
concern that Aramara Teo, the State-owned Connemara
based seaweed processor has been sold to Canadian
company Acadian SeaPlants.
“This deal has been shrouded in secrecy and there is
an urgent need to immediately clarify the position
of seaweed harvesters and of those who currently
hold licenses to harvest”, said Ms Harkin.
The deal should not impair in any way the ability of
current seaweed processors to access raw material
and an immediate statement from the Government on
this issue is necessary, she said. |
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MEP Marian Harkin. |
“It would make sense at
this time for all of those who earn their
livelihoods from seaweed and especially the
harvesters to come together in some form of unified
entity to protect their interests and to ensure that
seaweed will, in the future, continue to be
harvested in a sustainable way”, she said.
As an "immediate priority", she said the Government
should clarify if any special arrangements have been
made with Acadian SeaPlants for exclusive harvesting
rights in any part of the coast of the west of
Ireland. |
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