The UK mussel farmers fear another low blow from Defra

The terms of Brexit meant that UK shellfish farmers were no longer permitted to export live bivalve molluscs, such as oysters and mussels, to Europe unless they had either been grown in class-A waters or depurated in tanks between harvest and export. While domestic depuration is comparatively easy for oyster growers, due to the biology of oysters and the comparatively low volumes of oysters that they harvest, mussel producers outwith class A waters have been hit hard by the ban. Speaking yesterday to MPs on the DEFRA committee, Eustice said UK exporters of mussels should consider processing their mussels within the UK, rather than exporting them live because of EU restrictions imposed after Brexit. The comments have made mussel farmers question the quality of advice from Defra and the future of the mussel farming sector. “Yesterday’s statement by Eustice demonstrates the simple fact that we are too small an industry for him to care about,” says John Holmyard, founder and owner of ...