G/SCM/Q2/GBR/6  
 
21 May 2024 
(24-3894) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original:  English  
 
  
SUBSIDIES  
REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONS POSED BY AUSTRALIA1 REGARDING THE  
NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM2 
 The following communication, dated and received on  17 May 2024, is being circulated at the request 
of the delegation of the United Kingdom . 
 
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The United Kingdom thanks Australia for its questions and provides the following responses:   
Question 1  
4.1.2 Seafood Disruption Support Scheme  
Could the United Kingdom please confirm that this program was for a limited period and 
has been discontinued.  
Reply : 
The Seafood Disruption Support Scheme was for a limited period in response to the Covid -19 
pandemic. The scheme was discontinued on 28 February 2021.  
Question 2 
4.1.3 Seafood Response Fund (SRF)  
Could the United Kingdom please confirm that this program was for a limited period and 
has been discontinued.  
Reply : 
The Seafood Response Fund was for a limited period in response to the Covid -19 pandemic. The 
scheme was discontinued on the 31 March 2021 . 
 
1 G/SCM/Q2/GBR/5  
2 G/SCM/N/ 401/GBR  and G/SCM/N/401/GBR/Suppl.1 . G/SCM/Q2/GBR/6  
 
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  Question 3 
4.3 Scotland  
4.3.1 Highlands and Islands Enterprise  Fishing and Aquaculture Subsidy Scheme  
Noting the program 's objectives, could the United Kingdom please clarify what criteria or 
conditionalities are attached to receipt of grants, interest rate subsidies or loans, 
particularly for businesses engaged in capture fisheries.  
Reply : 
Subsidies under this scheme are open to all sizes of enterprise and all types of commercial entity 
(regardless of their legal or profit -distributing status) engaged in the catching, processing and/or 
marketing of fish and fish products, whether sourced through harvesting of natural products or 
aquaculture fa rms. This will include fish, shellfish, molluscs but not seaweed. The scheme is open to 
beneficiaries based, or with an operating presence, in the HIE area, or in Scotland or elsewhere 
which will facilitate HIE 's functions under Section 8 of the Enterprise  and New Towns (Scotland) 
Act 1990.  
Full details of the subsidy criteria and conditions are contained in the HIE Fishing and Aquaculture 
Subsidy Scheme Guidance  which can be found at:  www.hie.co.uk/subsidy -schemes . Grant l imits are 
specified under each Measure. Loan interest rates  and terms and conditions are assessed on a 
case-by-case basis following financial due diligence including affordability of repayments. For 
subsidised loans , HIE relies on the UK Subsidy Control (Gross Cash Amount and Gross Cash 
Equivalent) Regulati ons 2022  to determine the subsidy  value.  
Since 1 January 2021, t he scope of assistance to the fishing sector provided by the scheme is limited  
to advisory services, energy efficiency, research and development and support for new small 
enterprises.  In relation to providing assistance to 'entities engaged in catching ', HIE has historically 
not provided much support to the fishing sector. In practice, HIE would only consider supporting 
market entrants for small scale inshore fishing e.g. hand divers.  
Australia poses the following question regarding the programs contained in notification 
G/SCM/N/401/GBR/Suppl.1 : 
Question 4  
1.1.2 Maritime and Fisheries Fund (NI)  
The notification indicates that thi s program includes support to micro, small and medium 
enterprises (SMEs) for projects relating to investment on board fishing vessels and for 
fishing vessel energy improvements and re -engining.  
• Could the United Kingdom please clarify the criteria or condit ionalities attached 
to grants, including whether there are performance requirements.  
Reply : 
The Maritime Fisheries Fund (NI) is designed to support maritime and fisheries activity through a 
range of different types of projects. These projects can be grouped under six sub -categories: fishing 
vessel energy improvements and re -engining; investments on board vessels; improvements to 
shore -based facilities; partnerships and information sharing; marine environment and inland 
fisheries; and aquaculture, proc essing, and marketing.  
Each sub -category has its own specific eligibility conditions and criteria but there are some general 
conditionalities that apply to all projects, including:  G/SCM/Q2/GBR/6  
 
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  • For projects on board fishing vessels, the vessel must be registered as a fishing vessel in 
Northern Ireland and the grant applicant must be a commercial fisherman.  
• Funding for purchase of gear/equipment will only be eligible when replacement gear is 
shown to be equally or more selective than the gear already bei ng used.  
• A business case must be submitted for any project relating to support for diversification 
and new forms of income regardless of the cost of your project. In all other instances, a 
business case should be submitted if the total cost of the project is GBP 25,000 or more. 
Projects will not be approved if it is considered that an applicant can afford the project 
without support.  
• If the project involves replacing or modernising an engine, the new or modernised engine 
must be a specific size in relation to the old engine, which are highlighted below.  
• Up to 11.99m:  No more power in kilowatts than current engine.  
• 12-18m: At least 20% less power in kilowatts than current engine.  
• 18-24m:  At least 30% less power in kilowatts than current engine.  
• The use of de -rated or second -hand engines are not eligible for support under the scheme.  
In terms of performance requirements, there are no pre -defined targets imposed on grant 
applicants, as each application is assessed on its own merits and any performance targets c onsidered 
appropriate for that application are incorporated into the Letter of Offer issued. This could include, 
for example, a percentage reduction on carbon emissions or diesel fuel consumption.  
More information on the scheme, including eligibility criteria for each sub -category, can be found at: 
https://www.daera -ni.gov.uk/articles/maritime -and-fisheries -fund-ni-2022-2023. 
 
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