29 November 2023
One Show highlights looming crisis in inshore fleet
BBC television’s One Show has reported on the problems being caused for fishers by the new medical certification rules. You can watch it here, the first item on the programme
The NFFO has been campaigning on this issue for months. We have succeeded in raising its profile and have won support from across the political spectrum. On last night’s programme, NFFO Chief Executive Mike Cohen explained the situation and the serious impact it is having on the welfare of fishers across our inshore fleet. He called on the government to take action to solve this completely unnecessary crisis of their own making.
This film was recorded more than a month ago and the situation has only worsened since then. The deadline for obtaining medical certificates is now only a day away. The Department for Transport is responsible for implementing these regulations and their silence on the issue has been deafening. It is time for the government to decide exactly how it regards Britain’s fishing industry and what message it wants to send.