The UK’s new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Shellfish Aquaculture has hosted its inaugural meeting.
Simon Fell, Conservative MP for Barrow and Furness has been elected chair with the Conservative MP for Totnes and South Devon, Anthony Mangnall, serving as vice chair. The Shellfish Association of Great Britain will be secretariat to the Group.
In 2018, UK aquaculture produce was nearly 190,000 tonnes and worth just over £962 million across nearly 1,700 production sites around the UK.
“This is a very important sector that faces ruin without the proper attention being given to it,” said Simon Fell MP. “This isn’t just about big businesses, but thousands of family fishermen whose livelihoods are at risk if politicians don’t reopen routes for them to sell their produce to the markets that need them.”
Brexit
Following Brexit, many producers of live bi-valved molluscs (LBM), such as mussels and oysters, have seen their European markets close overnight and many exporters continue to face hurdles such as the Food Standards Agency gradation of waters testing regime.
“At a moment of great change for the shellfish industry, it is only right we unite all those with an interest in this sector and give it the attention it deserves,” said Anthony Mangnall MP.
“Over the coming weeks, months and years, I hope this group will serve as representative body of the shellfish industry and provide the insight and analysis to safeguard its future in the UK,” he added.
Officers of the APPG on Shellfish Aquaculture are: Simon Fell MP (Barrow and Furness), Anthony Mangnall MP (Totnes and South Devon), Alistair Carmichael MP (Orkney and Shetland), Cherilyn Mackrory MP (Truro and Falmouth), Angus MacNeil MP (Na h-Eileanan an Iar), David Morris MP (Morecambe and Lunesdale) and Luke Pollard MP (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport).
