Seafood trade body Seafish has started formal consultation with its levy payers and the wider seafood industry on proposals for a new levy model.
The Seafish board is now holding a statutory consultation on the proposed changes. The consultation will be open for 12 weeks until Friday 9th August. Feedback will be collected via an independent online survey, and webinars for interested stakeholders will also be hosted in due course.
During the Seafish Strategic Review in 2021, the seafood industry recognised the need for a review of the levy system given it had not changed since 1999. The body said there was general agreement that an improved levy model was needed to “ensure Seafish had a stable financial model” and could continue to provide the support industry needs.
Proposed levy changes
The proposed changes to the Seafish levy include:
- The current sea fish levy rate of 0.903p/kg will be increased to 1p/kg. This will be renamed the “Category 1” levy
- The current levy rate that applies to mussels, cockles, and pelagic fish (as defined in regulation) will increase from 0.258p/kg to 0.5p/kg over a three-year period
- The current levy rate for whelks will increase from 0.4515p/kg to 0.5p/kg
- The levy for mussels, cockles, pelagic fish (as defined in regulation) and whelks will be renamed the “Category 2” levy.
The levy rates for manufactured fishmeal and “fish destined for” fishmeal will also increase, as follows:
- Manufactured fishmeal will increase from 0.175p/kg to 0.315p/kg
- Fish destined for fishmeal will increase from 0.035p/kg to 0.05p/kg
- For the first time levy will apply to canned, bottled, and pouched seafood products, for those species within the scope of the levy
- The levy for all seafood and seafood products would be adjusted annually, subject to a cap on the annual adjustment of 2%
- Minor changes to the administration of the levy to make collection and payment more efficient.
Mike Sheldon, chair of the Seafish board, said: “After our informal consultation last year, we have taken industry feedback on board and made further revisions to refine the proposed levy adjustments. It is our priority to make the levy fit for purpose, fairer for all and ensure we can continue to deliver the support industry have told us they need, now and in the future.
“While we appreciate that the seafood industry is under financial pressure, our proposed changes strike a good balance, minimising impacts on the industry while allowing us to effectively support the seafood sector as an organisation.
“This consultation is an important step in shaping a levy that better serves our stakeholders.”
Following the consultation, Seafish will make formal recommendations to Government. Seafish said that while there is not a timeframe for when Ministers will reach a decision, businesses will have “as much notice as possible” before any changes come into effect.
