Development for the Menai mussel industry

There is encouraging news for the mussel farming sector in the Menai Strait. Since Brexit, it has not been possible to export live mussels from Class B waters, including the Menai Strait to the EU, due to health certification restrictions. However, on 19th May, the EU and UK jointly announced a reset in their trading relationship, which includes an agreement to resume the trade of live mussels from Class B waters.

Crucially, this means that the requirement for export health certification will be removed, allowing live mussels from the Menai Strait to once again be exported to the EU for depuration and marketing.

While the specific mechanisms and timeline for implementation are still to be confirmed, this announcement marks a significant step forward for those relying on for their livelihoods. We hope it will renew hope for the local mussel industry and the opportunity for producers to begin rebuilding their businesses after a challenging few years.