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http://frackingfreeireland.org/2014/11/29/seaweed/

Opening Statement from Irish Seaweed Processors Limited

30th June 2014

Mr. Eugene Ó Cruadhlaoich
Clerk to the Committee
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Leinster House
Dublin 2

Re: The Licensing and Harvesting of Seaweed in Ireland

Dear Mr. Ó Cruadhlaoich

Please find my opening statement below:

Arramara Teoranta has applied for a licence to harvest seaweed from North Mayo to North Clare.

Arramara Teoranta was sold by Údarás na Gaeltachta to Acadian SeaPlants (Canada), and was officially transferred into Acadian SeaPlant’s ownership on 8th May 2014.

It is wrong for Údarás na Gaeltachta to facilitate Acadian SeaPlant’s monopolising of Irish seaweed, to the detriment of other Irish seaweed companies. It is wrong for Údarás na Gaeltachta to allow seaweed harvesters to be placed in a position of such uncertainty regarding their livelihoods and futures. If Acadian/Arramara is granted the applied for licence, the de facto result of this will be that the State will be depriving all the existing seaweed harvesters along the coast of their traditional seaweed harvesting rights, thereby depriving them of the whole or a significant part of their annual income to provide for their families. It will force them onto social welfare or to emigrate which, in turn will damage the very fabric of the communities to which they belong, those very communities that Údarás na Gaeltachta was established to protect and develop.

Acadian’s harvesting methods are different to Ireland’s – Canadian harvesters cut the seaweed from within boats using a modified rake; the Irish traditional method of seaweed takes place from the shore after the tide has receded, with harvesters pruning the seaweed using a knife, making sure to leave 6-8 inches of the plant remaining so that the plant will be fully grown within 3-5 years. Acadian’s harvesting methods will require access to a greater volume of seaweed to allow for the tonnage that they require, preventing access to the raw material for anyone else.

This is a batant attempt by Acadian to gain control of Irish Ascophyllum, and the Údarás have aided & abetted the entire process. The role of Údarás na Gaeltachta is to create and maintain employment in Gaeltacht speaking areas, with a responsibility for preserving the Irish language and culture within these areas. How is selling Arramara to a foreign competitor going to preserve the culture?

Once Acadian has the licence for harvesting Ascophyllum, they can bypass the seaweed harvesters and opt for cheaper exploitation of labour. Acadian can also opt for mechanical harvesting of the seaweed; bypassing any human input at all.

The Foreshore Act of 1933 states that the State owns beach material between high & low water mark; anyone harvesting beach material should have permission in the form of a licence issued by the State. Because seaweed harvesting has been carried out along Ireland’s Atlantic coast for centuries, landlords included “seaweed rights” in deeds for tenants. These “seaweed rights” still exist today, which is why licencing has not been in vogue before for those who have traditionally had the right to harvest seaweed. The old landlord’s gift of “seaweed rights” should be the automatic criterion for the granting of a harvesting licence to the present individual seaweed harvesters. Such a licence should not be granted to any single commercial entity, wherever its origin.

If the State’s laws dictate that a licence is required, then I am not opposed to this law. However, I am strongly opposed to any commercial entity obtaining the exclusive licence for harvesting seaweed along sections of our coast – the licence to harvest seaweed should be preserved only for those who actually harvest the seaweed, not a commercial entity with a vested interest.

Acadian are buying Arramara completely so that they can get their hands on Irish seaweed that Irish seaweed harvesters have had the right to harvest for generations. Once Acadian is permitted to gain control of Irish Ascophyllum, they will look to increase their control over other seaweed species along the Irish coast. This will not end with Ascophyllum only; the livelihoods and employment opportunities for many Irish people will be placed in jeopardy once precedence is set.

What is the real reason for the sensitivity of Arramara to the need for harvesters to hold a licence under the 1933 Act now, when in its 60 year history it was quite satisfied to deal with the harvesters who had no licence but have traditional harvesting rights?

I contend that this newfound self-righteousness is an attempt by this foreign company to gain exclusive control of the seaweed harvesting rights on the Irish coast so that it can dictate to all its own terms and can kill off any perceived commercial competition from indigenous companies that are succeeding in taking some of its market share internationally

I also contend that this foreign entity has no interest in or concern for the local communities from which the current harvesters come and have no commitment to the sustainability or the development of those Irish communities.

This means simply that this foreign entity is inimical to the future wellbeing and development of the Irish State, and in particular to the rural communities on its western seaboard.

The natural resource of seaweed is a State owned asset; the Irish seaweed harvesters are also an asset of the State and should be treated accordingly; protected and helped accordingly by Údarás and the State.

Is mise le meas,

____________________________________

Tony Barrett
CEO
Irish Seaweed Processors Limited