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Fishermen across the UK have been “devastated” by new problems with the export of their products to the EU, after the government admitted that exports of mussels, oysters, scallops and other shellfish would be subject to continued restrictions. .
They are all classified as “live bivalve molluscs”, a category that also includes cockles and clams. Under the old EU rules, live bivalve mollusc catches from non-EU countries can only be imported without treatment if they come from waters considered of the highest quality. Vessels from non-EU countries are also unable to land live bivalve molluscs in EU ports.
These rules have closed many exports of live bivalve molluscs from the UK since Brexit went into full effect. The market for this type of seafood is small and specialized, valued at less than 12 million pounds sterling a year, but for the small number of fishermen who operate there, it is usually their main livelihood.
Other shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, and lobster, which are of much greater economic importance, are not affected by these rules. After Brexit, UK fishermen are already facing widespread problems exporting their catch.
The rules, and the disruption their application has caused to fishermen, first reported on the PoliticsHome website, cannot be classified as an “initial problem” as other red tape has been, because they will be applied permanently under Brexit to Unless the government can forge a new agreement with the EU to make exceptions for UK products.
The fishing industry asked the government to do more to try to solve the problem. Barrie Deas, executive director of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organizations, said: “This is devastating for those involved and cannot be left as a closed topic. Those of our members who produce mussels and cockles in particular are affected and severely affected: there are no exports to the EU as the UK is now a third country. This must be resolved at the government-to-government level and we understand that the talks are ongoing, but so far without producing a satisfactory result. “
Alistair Sinclair, chairman of the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation, blamed French President Emmanuel Macron as well as the UK government for the difficulties, warning that they were a preview of future negotiations. “This is possibly a demonstration of the difficulties that lie ahead if the UK thinks it is really going to take control of its waters. We are hiding for nothing, as Europe will do everything possible to protect the opportunities for its fishing fleets, ”he said. “Throughout the entire run-up to Brexit, the Scottish government and indeed the big conservatives did not heed our voice.”
Fishermen could try to comply with regulations by assuming additional processing of the shellfish, to obtain the necessary sanitary certification for exports, but this can be costly and time-consuming. Many had hoped that the Brexit deal would allow their exports to continue. The EU is the main market for many of these specialized fishermen.
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Live bivalve molluscs such as oysters, mussels, clams, cockles and scallops may continue to be exported to the EU if they are harvested in Class A waters or cleaned, or have been approved final product testing in the UK. We will continue to raise the issue of live bivalve molluscs that are not ready for human consumption with the EU, to ensure that trade can continue safely. “
The European Commission confirmed that the requirements were not temporary and applied to all shellfish imported from the UK.
Most of the affected fisheries are in England and Wales. Bivalve mollusc exports are worth less than £ 12 million a year, of which clams account for more than half, with oysters and mussels worth £ 2.7 million each. Defra said it could not estimate how much of this market would be affected, as some are subject to a “purge” that would allow them to continue exporting.
