CHERYL Roberts was removed as a director of the Falkland Islands fishing company Consolidated Fisheries Ltd following a shareholder resolution at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on February 18, notes a statement to Penguin News from the Fortuna Board. On February 20 Member of Legislative Assembly Cheryl Roberts released a statement (see page 16 Penguin News this week) saying Fortuna Ltd, as the majority shareholder of CFL, had requisitioned the meeting to remove her from the Board. She said Fortuna’s reasoning was alleged unmanageable conflicts of interest between her role as MLA and her position as a Director. She pointed out that previous CFL Directors had remained on the board while serving as elected members, without conflicts of interest arising that warranted their removal. Following the meeting, CFL Chair James Wallace said on behalf of the Board: “Further to the Extraordinary General Meeting of Consolidated Fisheries Limited held on 18...

THE Falkland Islands Government Executive Council met on February 24. The meeting was attended by MLAs Cheryl Roberts, Lewis Clifton and Jack Ford. A number of policy and governance matters were considered.FIMCo Overdraft Guarantee RenewedExecutive Council approved the renewal of a government-backed guarantee supporting Falkland Islands Meat Company’s £1.5 million overdraft facility with Standard Chartered Bank.FIMCo was established to help diversify Falklands agriculture and create additional revenue streams for farmers. Since its formation, however, the company has relied on government subventions to operate and does not hold sufficient reserves to meet its working capital needs.The overdraft facility is guaranteed by the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC), FIMCo’s shareholder, and must be renewed annually. Renewal also requires consent from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.ExCo approved FIDC renewing the guarantee.FIDC Annual Report and AccountsExecutive Council received the audited accounts and annual report for FIDC for the year ending...

THE Falkland Islands Government may find it necessary to legislate that directors and shareholders of ITQ-B quota companies are ‘ordinarily resident’ in the country for 183 day of every year.A discussion paper was placed before Thursday’s Fisheries Committee asking members to consider whether the current definition of “ordinarily resident” for those holding interests in ITQ-B fishing quota companies needs clearer interpretation or possible changes.Chief Executive Andrea Clausen noted that the guidance was “…effectively not being adhered to so there is a need for us to look at it in more detail. But if the guidance is not being adhered to then we might have to legislate.”She acknowledged that, “the guidance although reasonably clear can always do with improvement… and the world’s changing and there might be other exemptions that people want to be considered.”When the ITQ-B system was introduced, policymakers emphasised the importance of local ownership of fishing quota, reflecting...

AN update on the management of Saladero Farm and the National Stud Flock in the Falkland Islands has been presented to the Agricultural Advisory Committee. It outlines its contribution to the agricultural economy alongside current operational challenges.The paper authored by the Head of Agriculture notes that Saladero remains the Department of Agriculture’s principal base for genetic improvement, on-farm research and industry demonstration.A return on investment analysis presented to the Committee estimated that genetic improvement increased wool value by £27.98 million between 2016 and 2025, equating to around £62 gained for every £1 spent.Head of Agriculture Matt Davies noted in the meeting that on average Saladero worked out at £45,000 a year to run. Asked if he felt it was good value for money compared to the private sector, he believed it was, “if you look at what Saladero and the national stud flock has delivered to the Falklands over the...

The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly on Thursday morning noted the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee in which they commented the BAM Nuttall port facility project did not deliver value for money to the Falklands Government or to the taxpayer.The motion, brought by MLA Stacy Bragger (pictured) asked members to formally note the findings of the Committee’s review into the proposed deep water port replacement project and triggered a requirement under the Public Accounts Ordinance 2009 for a written response from the Governor within six months.Opening the debate, MLA Bragger described the report as a detailed examination of whether the significant public funds committed to the project had achieved value for money, assessed in terms of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. He said the need for a replacement port had long been recognised as critical to the Islands’ economy, particularly as the existing FIPASS facility nears the end of its operational...

DIESEL prices increased by 23p per litre at the start of April in the Falkland Islands.The approximately 36.5% increase makes the price at the pump 86p per litre for diesel, bringing it nearly in line with the price of kerosene which is unchanged at 88p. There were also no changes to the price of unleaded petrol or gas bottles.Managing Director of Stanley Services Gareth Goodwin said the rise was “solely related to world events.” He referenced the conflict in the Middle East which has “caused severe volatility in world fuel markets” as well as a “tightness in supply” which has “added additional pressure.”Globally, fuel prices have been increasing as the war between the US and Iran continues and the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route for energy-related trade, remains closed.This week the UK is hosting a virtual summit with around 30 nations to discuss plans to reopen the shipping...

A PROPOSED shift towards large-scale, high-tech glasshouse growing could mark a significant turning point for food security and food production in the Falkland Islands, according to Deputy Director of Development and Commercial Services, Steve Dent.Speaking this week following the delivery of a new report by consultants ADAS, part of the RSK Group, Mr Dent outlined a future model centred on a half-hectare or one-hectare glasshouse capable of producing crops year-round under controlled conditions.The report is the second phase of work commissioned after the Falkland Islands Government took over Stanley Growers in 2023.While the first phase looked at the state of the business, the latest work examines what a long-term, sustainable model might be.As Mr Dent put it, the proposal is for “either a half hectare or a whole hectare glasshouse where the vast majority of the crops are grown indoors, all year round.”He explained that the concept relies on modern...

CAMP residents in the Falkland Islands have expressed they are feeling more isolated by the reduced FIGAS operation, and with the East/West ferry Concordia Bay due to lay up for routine maintenance at the end of July, the ability to move around the islands will become further reduced.Decreased winter flying hours got underway this week at the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) which will remain in place until September 13, 2026.Flights will operate as normal on four days each week with no-fly days being Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.In previous winters flying has been reduced to five days per week, and the extra day this winter is to be dedicated to maintenance on the Britten Norman Islander fleet of five aircraft.A press release explained that the revised programme will provide dedicated, uninterrupted time for engineering teams to complete essential 1,000 hour aircraft maintenance and corrosion rectification, ensuring aircraft availability for...

THE Falkland Islands Government has approved a new immigration health policy setting out for the first time the medical conditions, treatments and medications that may lead to a work or residency permit being refused.The policy is intended to provide greater clarity about how health assessments are considered when immigration applications are assessed and whether an applicant is likely to become a “substantial charge on public funds”.Under the policy, permit refusals may be considered for applicants with a range of serious medical conditions, including certain cancers, severe heart and respiratory diseases, progressive neurological disorders, severe psychiatric illnesses, organ transplant recipients requiring ongoing treatment and some developmental disorders requiring significant support.The policy also states that an application may be refused if an applicant requires medication costing more than £2,500 a year or medication that cannot be sourced through the Falkland Islands supply chain.The document has been developed by Customs and Immigration and...

WHILE Members of Legislative Assembly might find it hard to believe the staff at Penguin News are a warm and empathetic lot and we do understand that the Falkland Islands Government faces genuine challenges.Struggle as I do with financial terms, I always think smooth talking Financial Secretary Pat Clunie does a grand job delivering fairly jargon-free presentations to us dum dums. Certainly enough so that I could work out great big infrastructure projects are underway, corporation tax revenues have fallen from recent highs, borrowing costs are now a permanent feature of the financial landscape and the wider global economy feels less predictable than it has for many years. (I hope you’re impressed).So yes, even this wooden head knows prudence isn’t just a Beatles’ song.But when I was sitting there on Monday I couldn’t help noticing how often the discussion returned to scary words like risk, uncertainty, contingency and resilience. (I...