There are claims today from Conwy mussel gatherers that ‘red tape’ is threatening to wipe out their cottage industry.
The status of Conwy mussels is protected like some of the best food and wine, such as Champagne or Italian prosciutto ham. But gatherers are now being told that they must use licensed boats to harvest the shellfish – a new move by Welsh Government that gatherers say shouldn’t apply to them, as they’re not fishing.
The changes stem from a lapsed piece of legislation in 2008 – The Conwy Mussel Fishery Order 1948 – which left the industry in “limbo”, according to Welsh Government officials.
Since then, Conwy council has been responsible for issuing permits to gather mussels, but the recent change requires a fishing license and several jobs have been lost as a result of the new requirement.
Shadow Rural Affairs spokesman, Paul Davies AM, said:
“This kind of red tape is hugely damaging for cottage industries such as this, and it cannot be beyond the wit of man to address these concerns.
“18 months is a long time to wait for new rules to be put in place and ministers need to look at interim arrangements which loosen the grip on the industry.
“To impose draconian terms on mussel gatherers so close to the beginning of the season was always going to create problems, and sadly we are now seeing people put out of work because of a licensing requirement that probably shouldn’t even apply to them.”
Aberconwy AM, Janet Finch-Saunders, said:
“This absurd situation needs to be addressed as it’s affecting the livelihoods of almost everyone involved in this tiny industry.
“The Welsh Government needs to support this local family-run business, and they should be promoting our fantastic local Conwy mussels, which have received PDO status.
“Obtaining licenses for boats that they shouldn’t need will cost thousands of pounds and potentially jobs too.
“We need to see some pragmatism from the Welsh Labour Government, and urgent action to put this right.”
