Independent MEP Marian Harkin has expressed concern at the announcement that Arramara Teo, the State owned Connemara based seaweed processor has been sold to Canadian company Acadian SeaPlants.

“This deal has been shrouded in secrecy and there is an urgent need to immediately clarify the position of seaweed harvesters and of those who currently hold licenses to harvest”, she said.

The deal should not impair in any way the ability of current seaweed processors to access raw material and an immediate statement from the government on this issue is necessary, she said.

“It would make sense at this time for all of those who earn their livelihoods from seaweed and especially the harvesters to come together in some form of unified entity to protect their interests and to ensure that seaweed will, in the future, continue to be harvested in a sustainable way”, she said.

As an immediate priority the government should clarify if any special arrangements have been made with Acadian SeaPlants for exclusive harvesting rights in any part of the coast of the west of Ireland, Independent MEP Marian Harkin stressed.