Shellfish exporters want more government support

Shellfish exporters have called for more support from the Government of Jersey amid delays in the opening of a new border inspection post in France.

Since Brexit, all shellfish exports have had to go through St Malo, France, a costly and lengthy trip for seafarers.

Exporters have been waiting for the opening of a new border inspection post in Granville for four years - which they said would significantly reduce costs as it would cut journey times.

Economic Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel said he was working with the Departmental Council of La Manche on the issue.

The calls come after a meeting was held between ministers from the Channel Islands and their French counterparts on renewable energy, the marine spatial plan and emergency planning earlier this week.

Concerns were also raised over how fish caught in Jersey's waters were graded.

Chris Le Masurier, from the Jersey Oyster Company, said the firm needed more financial support from the government.

He also wanted ministers to put more pressure on French officials to open the inspection post in Granville.

He said: "Since we have been going to St Malo, it has cost us in the region of £400,000 to £500,000. We can't weather that anymore."

President Jean Morin, from La Manche Council, said he was "very committed" to making progress on the issue.

He said: "It was agreed during our discussions that there will be an inter-ministerial meeting co-organised by the region and the Manche department so that we can exchange ideas with the Minister of the Sea and possibly another minister from Europe, for example, to bring to the table everything that could lead us to a solution."

Morel said: "Going via Granville would be much cheaper for our fishing industry and likely much easier as well.

"It's a question, though, for the French national government and I believe that, by working together, La Manche and Jersey really hope to convince the French central government that this would be a good thing to do."

Fishers also complained about produce being graded differently despite fishing in the same water.

Products coming from Jersey to Europe are considered grade B and have to go through water purification tanks.

French fisherman, who can legally fish in Jersey waters if they have a licence, are graded A, meaning they are directly fit for human consumption.

Mr Le Masurier said grading system was not fair and needed to be addressed.

"How can you have the EU fishing in our waters, selling their products direct for human consumption, yet they're penalising our own community saying our waters are grade B? It's not right."

Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce said it was a complex system that was not designed with the island's proximity to France in mind.

He added: "Government officers and the fishing community are in discussions with colleagues from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the French government and the European Commission.

"These discussions will continue with a view to coming to resolution."

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