UK politicians form All-Party Parliamentary Group for Shellfish Aquaculture

Politicians in the UK have launched a new cross-party group focused on shellfish aquaculture.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Shellfish Aquaculture includes 26 MPs and members of the House of Lords from shellfish-producing regions, including Devon, Cornwall, East Anglia, the south coast, Wales, Cumbria, the North East, and the Scottish Coast. The group has appointed the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) as its secretariat.

According to a press announcement released by the SAGB, the new group "seeks to assist a valuable and environmentally friendly industry which has struggled in recent years from increased bureaucracy and a lack of Government support".

The group highlights that despite the potential for shellfish aquaculture in the UK, the sector is being held back due to a series of factors, including restrictions on shellfish exports to the EU following Brexit, in addition to problems with water quality.

"The UK’s growing population, inadequate water treatment infrastructure, and governmental failure to hold water companies to account mean that storm overflow events are more frequent, with severe negative consequences for shellfish production," the APPG said.

The newly-formed APPG also said the UK government needs to consider legislation specific to aquaculture.

"Aquaculture is still tied to UK fisheries policy, despite differing substantially from wild capture fisheries," the APPG stated, adding, "Aquaculture shows the greatest growth potential of all food production sectors but receives little attention in UK government policy and no effective support for the sector to grow."

The group elected Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, as its Chair, with James Wild, Conservative MP for North West Norfolk, as Vice Chair. Jayne Kirkham, Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, and Torcuil Chrichton, Labour MP for the Hebrides, were both elected Officers for the new APPG.

“I’m thrilled to have launched the APPG for Shellfish Aquaculture, and to have members from such a broad swathe of the UK. From Devon to the Scottish Islands, this APPG has legislators who are committed to helping this industry which has such incredible potential but is being hamstrung by a toxic combination of red tape and government inaction," Voaden said.

"I look forward to working with the Government and the Shellfish Association of Great Britain to change this, and to harness the hugely beneficial impact this industry could have on our economy and environment," she added.

David Jarrad, chief executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, said his organisation was "delighted to see tangible support" shown by the members of the new Shellfish Aquaculture group.

"The fertile waters around the UK coast could deliver such a fantastic vibrant aquaculture industry if the legislative landscape to do so is created and the current restrictions lifted. The SAGB is pleased to be nominated as the secretariat to help the APPG deliver these goals," Jarrad said.