This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7432664.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Fishermen stage oil price protest Fishermen stage oil price protest
(about 3 hours later)
At least 500 fishermen and their families are expected to demonstrate against rising fuel prices, fishing industry representatives have said. Fishermen from across the UK have protested against rising fuel prices, saying their industry is "uniquely vulnerable" to the issue.
The fishermen say oil costs mean they lose money whenever they go to sea.The fishermen say oil costs mean they lose money whenever they go to sea.
French fisherman are expected to join the protest outside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London to show international support. French fishermen joined the protest outside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London, to show international support.
Protests against the cost of fuel have been staged by fishermen across Europe, as well as UK and Dutch lorry drivers.Protests against the cost of fuel have been staged by fishermen across Europe, as well as UK and Dutch lorry drivers.
'Pan-European problem''Pan-European problem'
The fisherman have urged the government to provide an aid package to help them survive.
Their protest coincided with a meeting between fishing industry leaders, UK Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw and Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead to discuss the issue.
Boats are going out to sea and fish for five days in terrible conditions and we're not getting enough to even pay our crews Barrie Deas National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations
Fishermen say that everything they use is based on oil - from the rope with which they make their nets, to the fuel they run their boats on.Fishermen say that everything they use is based on oil - from the rope with which they make their nets, to the fuel they run their boats on.
They say as a result the spiralling cost of oil, combined with a cut this year in their fishing quotas, it is no longer worth going out to sea.They say as a result the spiralling cost of oil, combined with a cut this year in their fishing quotas, it is no longer worth going out to sea.
They also say they are unable to raise the price of fish to cover the rising fuel costs because what they catch is sold at auction. National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations chief executive Barrie Deas said: "The fishing industry finds itself in a double bind.
The fishermen accuse the government of not applying for direct grants for the industry, which are available from the European Union and which other countries have taken up. "We cannot simply pass on our costs because we sell our fish through the auction system, creating a terrible problem in the industry.
One of the organisers of the protest, Richard Brewer, a fisherman from Whitby, said the French fishermen were coming to support the protest and to show that this was a pan-European problem. A fisherman explains what soaring fuel costs mean to his business
He said there could also be more demonstrations in the future. "Boats are going out to sea and fish for five days in terrible conditions and we're not getting enough to even pay our crews."
One of the organisers of the protest, Richard Brewer, a fisherman from Whitby there could be more demonstrations in the future.
"We feel this government should realise we have a fishing industry in this country. It has to survive and we hope that they can help us make it survive."We feel this government should realise we have a fishing industry in this country. It has to survive and we hope that they can help us make it survive.
"This time last year my weekly fuel bill was about £2,000. The same week this year, as last week, my fuel bill was £4,500," he said."This time last year my weekly fuel bill was about £2,000. The same week this year, as last week, my fuel bill was £4,500," he said.
The fishermen accuse the government of not applying for direct grants for the industry, which are available from the European Union and which other countries have taken up.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said ministers believed a long-term approach, rather just short-term assistance, was needed.A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said ministers believed a long-term approach, rather just short-term assistance, was needed.