Fishermen will get £23m in extra funding to ease the impact of Brexit-related delays on seafood exports

Seafood exporters will receive extra funding of £23million to help them cope with the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit.

Boris Johnson's trade deal has posed challenges for the fishing sector, which has suffered increased delays due to new export requirements.

The industry is also facing lower market prices and demand due to the pandemic. 

Seafood exporters will receive extra funding of £23million to help them cope with the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit

The fund will be targeted at fishing export businesses which can prove a genuine loss in trading fish and shellfish with the EU.

Support will be available immediately and paid to cover losses incurred since January 1. 

It will be targeted at small and medium sized firms and the maximum claim available will be £100,000.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: 'This £23million scheme will provide crucial support for fishermen and seafood exporters, who have experienced delays and a lack of demand for fish from the restaurant industry in the UK and Europe.'

Boris Johnson's trade deal has posed challenges for the fishing sector, which has suffered increased delays due to new export requirements

He added that the Government is working with the fishing sector and seafood farmers to make sure they are supported. 

Steve Barclay, chief secretary to the Treasury, said the funding was on top of the £100million already announced.

He said: 'This further £23million package of support will help our hard-working fishing sector navigate the challenges of the next few months.

'It is vital that no community nor region... is left behind as we continue to support British jobs and build back better from the coronavirus pandemic.'