Independent MEP Marian Harkin has called for a unified approach by politicians and seaweed harvesting interests to secure an immediate stop to Government plans to sell Arramara Teo to Canadian interests.

In a statement the Independent MEP said that there were many questions surrounding the proposed deal and in particular a connected attempt by the proposed Canadian purchaser to obtain exclusive seaweed harvesting rights to a large part of the western coastline.  “This proposed deal is shrouded in secrecy and those who currently process and harvest seaweed must not have their rights taken away by any secret Government deal”, she said.

There was an urgent need for a co-ordinated approach to protect the interests of all of those currently earning their livelihoods from the seaweed sector or who may have plans for extracting value from Ireland’s valuable seaweed resources in the future, Independent MEP Marian Harkin said.