Nicki Holmyard

BY NICKI HOLMYARD

Challenging times

Brexit loomed large on the agenda of the SAGB’s 51st annual conference

The 51st annual conference of the Shellfi sh Associa� on of Great Britain (SAGB) took place for the fi rst � me on Zoom this year, and despite my personal dislike of Internet-based events, it turned out to be both informa� ve and enjoyable.

Conference presenta� ons covered produc� on, interna� onal and UK trade, trading opportuni� es, research and funding, and spanned both the wild-caught and farmed shellfi sh sectors represented by SAGB.

Held over three days, from 12-14 May 2021, the conference opened with CEO David Jarrad se� ng the scene on the many issues facing the shellfi sh industry.

“What a year it has been, with Covid-19 changing the working and trading landscape, on top of the many challenges thrown up by Brexit and the UK becoming a third country. We have worked very hard to ensure that the voice of the shellfi sh sector is heard loud and clear by government departments, and that they are working to fi nd solu� ons,” said Jarrad.

In par� cular, Jarrad highlighted the chal-

lenges of excessive paperwork and addi� onal costs of export for all species, as stumbling blocks for SAGB members and the wider industry. He also stressed the massive disrup� on to businesses caused by cessa� on of trade in live bivalve molluscs (LBMs) from grade B waters into Europe, which remains a live issue.

These concerns were also touched upon by Victoria Pren� s MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Aff airs (Defra) in her keynote presenta� on. This sparked a lively debate, with seafood producers anxious for answers that have thus far not been forthcoming from government and government agencies.

“I’m not going to pretend that there is a silver bullet (to the LBM issue). There isn’t. But we are taking a range of steps that will, I hope, make a real diff erence. The Trade and Coopera� on Agreement has fi nally been ra� fi ed by the EU. We will now see the new specialised commi� ees being set up which will be an important step forward,” Minister Pren� s said.

“The FSA has agreed that there is poten� al scope for change to ensure that classifi ca� ons are awarded in a propor� onate and pragma� c way – ensuring the high levels of public health protec� on that we are renowned for. They will con� nue to engage (with shellfi sh farmers) on this.”

Pledging prac� cal and fi nancial support to help businesses adapt to the new condi� ons and fi nd new markets, she also stated that improving water quality was a priority for the government.

Andrew Kuyk CBE, from the UK Seafood Industry Alliance, looked at trade in seafood post-Brexit, and referred to the paradox that 80% of the seafood caught and farmed in the UK is exported, much of it to the EU, while two thirds of the seafood imported into the UK comes from outside the EU, in a “double asymmetry”.

“Brexit means that we have swapped our former free and fric� onless trade, with products reaching the market in less than 24 hours, for a process that takes 2-3 days, costs more in terms of paperwork, customs agents and transport, and this severely aff ects business models. We might have free trade in terms of no tariff s, but non-tariff barriers are causing real problems for fi sh and shellfi sh,” he said.

Marcus Coleman, Chief Execu� ve, Seafish, explained how Covid-19 had been a “shot in the arm” for UK retail sales, with a 14

From the top: David Jarrad; Victoria Pren� s MP; Andrew Kuyk; Marcus Coleman

“I’m not going to pretend that there is a silver bullet… there isn’t”

% upli� in shellfi sh sales on the domes� c market. However, the farmed sectors benefi � ng the most were salmon and warm water prawns. According to Nielsen IQ Scan Track data, the performance of molluscs in retail in the year to 27.3.21, rose by 17% in value to £56.4 million and by 21% in volume, to £7,000 tonnes.

Mussel accounted for 75% of the volume, up 20% on the previous year, oysters for 1%, clams for 3%, cockles for 8% and scallops 13%. Whilst his presenta� on did not feature foodservice specifi cally,

Coleman said he believed there were gains to be had for farmed shellfi sh in this sector. Results of recent consumer research from IGD Shopper Vista, showed that the main drivers are quality and price, followed by healthy op� ons and special off ers. Ethically produced seafood fell towards the bo� om of the list, showing that greater work needs to be done to encourage shoppers to be more mindful of the origins of their seafood. Will Rash from the Big Prawn Company spoke about shellfi sh sales in the UK and how to increase them, while Andrew Brown of Macduff Shellfi sh talked on shellfi sh trade in the EU post-Brexit. Rash said that understanding the consumer was key to fi nding opportuni� es for sales, and spoke of the shi� in a� tude brought about by Covid 19. His research found two dis� nct groups emerging; one that has retained their jobs, feels well off and is happy to spend more; while the other has lost their income, is feeling the pinch, and is looking to cut spending. He also pointed out the rise in the number of people iden� fying as fl exitarians, and this group is taking a more environmentally sustainable approach to their diet, which will help seafood sales. Ms Ray Smith, the UK government’s Agriculture, Food and Drink Counsellor in Beijing, spoke of opportuni� es for expor� ng shellfi sh in China. Her team supports food and drink companies to fi nd partners, a� end food shows, promote their products and amplify their media eff orts. “China is our third largest trading block behind the US and

EU and consumes huge amounts of seafood, including 4.5 million tonnes of crustaceans, 26 million tonnes fi sh and 27 million tonnes of molluscs. New regula� ons make it more diffi cult to export there, but we can assist interested companies,” she advised.

Neil Auchterlonie, Chair Seafood 2040, looked at shellfi sh within

Seafood 2040, the visionary plan developed by the seafood supply chain that covers fi shing, aquaculture, processing, markets, consump� on and business development. The revised plan now has 19 recommenda� ons, all of which are relevant to shellfi sh, and has already delivered the English Aquaculture Strategy. The strategy aims for growth and diversifi ca� on of aquaculture in England over the next 20 years and for it to be an innova� ve and integral component of the “Blue Economy”, with farmed produc� on contribu� ng at least 15% of overall seafood consump� on in England by 2040. Wouter van Zandbrink’s talk on other uses for bivalves in the ecosystem touched on the many ecosystem services that shellfi sh provide to the marine environment, from providing shelter, habitat and food for other species and increasing biodiversity to capturing carbon.

Closing the event, David Jarrad expressed his delight that the SAGB’s fi rst foray into the digital world in 51 years was a great success.

“We were very pleased with the feedback,” he said. FF