a “catastrophic” situation for producers, depending on the sector

The temporary ban, for health reasons, on the marketing of oysters from certain sites on the western coast is “catastrophic” for all producers, declared to AFP on Sunday December 31, the president of the national shellfish farming federation Philippe Le Gal. “People don’t buy anymore”he worries. “It’s catastrophic, it’s general panic, when we’re not even at 10% of contaminated areas in France” compared to the totality of national production, reacted Philippe Le Gal.

The production areas affected by this ban since mid-week, by prefectural decision, are located in the Arcachon basin (Gironde), as well as in two very limited sectors of Calvados and Manche. Taking his own example, Philippe Le Gal explains that his oysters “were on sale Sunday morning in four markets, one in Lot, one in Corrèze and two in Morbihan” where it is installed. “We didn’t sell anything at all”he lamented, estimating that “barely 10%” sales normally made for a New Year’s Eve day. “The damage is done, the trust is broken” with consumers, he fears.

In an interview given Sunday to West Francethe Secretary of State for the Sea Hervé Berville assured that “these temporary bans do not[étaien]not at all linked to the work of shellfish farmers”but good “linked to viruses”. It also calls into question the sanitation systems: “The number one issue is indeed the investment of local authorities in treatment systems” Wastewater. He said he wanted “make points with communities to accelerate investments”. Hervé Berville also affirmed that “additional aid” would be examined to support producers when the balance sheet of turnover losses has been established.