Rural Initiative Scheme.

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A decision made (29/06/2006) regarding Rural Initative Scheme.

Subject:	Rural Initiative Scheme
Decision Reference:	MD-E-2006-0115		Exempt clause(s):	n/a
Type of Report: (oral or written)	written		Person Giving Report (if oral):	n/a
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a		Report File ref:
Written report – Title	Rural Initiative Scheme amendment / Shellfish export grants
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Dr Paul Le Miere, Director of Environmental Management and the Rural Economy and Colin Gibaut, Director of Policy and Strategy
Decision(s): 1)To extend the scope of the Rural Initiative Scheme to cover non land dependent shellfish exporters for the purpose of restructuring transport arrangements in relation to shellfish exports and to amend the scoring criteria of the scheme accordingly;
Reason(s) for decision: Withdrawal of the Solidor V from the Jersey St Malo route has made it more difficult for some parts of the shellfish export industry to export its produce to France. Grants are intended to assist the industry to restructure its transport arrangements to better fit the current market situation. The Rural Initiative Scheme is the most appropriate vehicle for achieving this decision as it is already considered to cover the oyster farming industry as this is a land dependent activity. However, in order to achieve equity in the implementation of this decision applications from non land dependent shellfish exporters will need to be eligible for consideration as well. Containing applications for restructuring transport arrangements in the current round of the Rural Initiative Scheme will also mean that applications are subject to a structured assessment.
Action required: 1) Director of Environmental Management and the Rural Economy to place invitation in the Jersey Gazette for applications to restructure transport arrangements by shellfish exporters for the current round of the Rural Initiative Scheme which closes at the end of July; 2) Director of Policy and Strategy to inform main exporters of shellfish of the decision;
Signature: Senator Philip Ozouf (Minister)		Date of Decision: 29 June 2006