Explanatory note
This scheme, which applies to Great Britain, provides for the making of grants for fish farming projects, if such grants appear to Ministers—
to be desirable for the purpose of the reorganisation, development or promotion of fish farming in Great Britain, and
to be requisite for the purpose of enabling a person to qualify for aid from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 31/83, which relates to projects for fish farming in salt or brackish water, or Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2908/83, which relates both to such projects and to projects for fish farming in fresh water.
Both Council Regulations provide for grants of up to 25% of the investment.
Fish farming is defined in section 31 of the Fisheries Act 1981, under which the scheme is made, as the breeding, rearing or cultivating of fish (including shellfish) for the purpose of producing food for human consumption.
The maximum amount of grant under this scheme is 5% of the investment. If the expenditure has been approved for the purpose of any other grant out of United Kingdom public funds, the maximum amount of grant is reduced proportionately (paragraph 4).
In specified circumstances approval of expenditure may be revoked and grant may be recovered (paragraph 5).
The Marine Fish Farming (Financial Assistance) Scheme 1981 is revoked (paragraph 6).
Section 31 of the Fisheries Act 1981 creates certain offences in respect of fraudulent applications for grant, for which there is a maximum penalty of £1,000.