FISHERMEN WHO have suspended port blockades pending discussions with two Government Ministers have warned that they are prepared to resume their full campaign if talks are unsuccessful.
Ebbie Sheehan, spokesman for southwest fishermen, said yesterday that "plan B" would be implemented if the talks were inconclusive.
The group suspended its blockade of Cork and Waterford ports, and a planned demonstration in Dublin port, when Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Brendan Smith broke his silence on the issue and agreed to meet representatives today.
Mr Smith and his junior counterpart Tony Killeen are due to meet the Federation of Irish Fishermen and representatives of protesters in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Mr Killeen has urged the federation to work with the Government on an agreed approach which would be presented to EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg at a bilateral meeting with Ireland next Wednesday.
The federation is seeking State support for a temporary tie-up to alleviate the impact of escalating fuel prices and cheap imports among a series of measures, which includes extension of the State buy-out scheme. Mr Sheehan said that his group, which is not officially endorsed by the fishermen's federation, had "nothing to lose" due to extreme financial hardship, and a plan to start hunger strikes would be proceeded with if necessary.
The Irish Farmers Association aquaculture section has called on all organisations in the seafood sector to form a coastal alliance. This alliance would work to ensure significant issues affecting the seafood industry were "placed on the Government agenda", its spokesman Richie Flynn said.
It would also work to "reinvigorate" the Government's €600 million Cawley seafood report.