Shellfish farmers have warned that their industry is facing a crisis that threatens to lead to the closure of several companies and the loss of jobs. Health authorities have banned harvesting in many coastal bays because of the threat of toxins. At the annual conference the Irish Shellfish Association growers have called for better testing systems to restore public confidence and to protect Irish seafood exports.
Global warming has increased toxin levels in coastal waters throughout Europe and shellfish farming has been hit. This is due to levels in bays on the North, West and Southern coastlines rising to unacceptable levels and a stop put to harvesting to protect public health. Farmers, at the annual meeting of the Shellfish Association, claimed that they had been "dragged to their knees". They had lost £7m and many were close to permanent closure.
Repeated testing of shellfish until toxin levels are safe is used to deal with what is a phenomenon of nature. After some difficulties, new systems of testing have been agreed between the Association, health boards and the Department of the Marine, which has introduced a two-and-a-half million rescue programme for the industry. However, exports are a problem. Other European countries are barring imports by tougher tests than they impose on their own domestic produce to protect home markets. That is being taken up at EU level.
