Shellfish producers will be given help with a once-off environmental clean up under a new £2.5 million Shellfish Remedial Package which was launched today.
The objective of the Package, announced by the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Mr Hugh Byrne, is to give financial aid to clean up redundant stock and secure production capability for the future.
Mr Byrne said: "The package is designed to remedy the immediate crisis caused by prolonged closures," which arose from naturally occurring biotoxins. A number of shellfish production areas have been seriously affected, particularly the rope mussel sector. Over 9,000 tonnes of rope mussel valued at £6 million has not been harvested, and a substantial part of that production is expected to be lost.
Minister Byrne added: "This package together with the £1 million allocated for enhancing the Total Quality Management Systems for mussel processors will go a long way towards assisting mussel producers this year."
A new contract between Bantry Bay Seafoods and a major UK company, Youngs Bluecrest will be signed this afternoon, which according to the Minister is "testament to continuing international confidence in the quality of Irish mussels."