Four-tonne oyster export rejected at French border due to ‘typo’

Four tonnes of oysters caught by a Jersey shellfish exporter were rejected at the French border due to an “admin error”.

Chris Le Masurier, from Jersey Oyster Company, said the produce – worth £11,000 – was sent back to Jersey because of a “typo” in a reference number.

He said the reference number was not a legal requirement, but the error meant French border officials were concerned about the traceability of the produce, and said the rejection of the oysters was “overkill”.

The BBC has approached French Customs for comment.

Mr Le Masurier said he would have understood the oysters being rejected on the grounds of animal health or disease, adding he thought French authorities were not interested in finding a resolution.

He said: “The States of Jersey veterinary officer, that issued the health certificate and confirmed that he had inspected and was happy with everything, spoke to the border post directly and they blanketly refused to sort it out.”

Mr Le Masurier said since Brexit, while Jersey had been allowing free trade with Europe, the island was not getting a “reciprocal” deal.

He said Jersey’s Economic Development Minister, Deputy Kirsten Morel, had been very supportive.

Morel said he would meet with French officials this week.

“It is a really imbalanced relationship on the fishing front,” he said.

“At the moment we’re being shut out of the market – not because of any policy decisions in France, not because of any problem with our oysters or our fish – as I understand it, it can be down to individuals in that border process who stop things.

“It’s becoming more and more difficult for our oyster and our fishing industry to export via St Malo.”

Morel said this was “having a massive impact”, “to the point of destroying” the fishing and oyster industries.

Mr Le Masurier said the oysters had been returned to Jersey and replaced on the beach in the hope some could survive.

He added: “Jersey produce is wanted throughout Europe and we have got a very good reputation for quality.

“We rely on these exports, a solution has to be found.

“Now we’re running into our busy time and the build-up to Christmas, we have to be able to work professionally and with confidence.”

It comes as representatives from fishing communities in Jersey, Normandy and Brittany met to “re-establish dialogue and cooperation”, according to the Jersey Fishermen’s Association (JFA).

Meeting virtually via video link on Monday, representatives discussed “shared challenges” in the industry.

The JFA said Marine Protected Areas were a “central topic of discussion”, with concerns voiced over how proposals to close historic fishing areas would impact vessels from both Jersey and France.

Delegates also highlighted the post-Brexit classification of Jersey waters as third country, which prevents Jersey fishing vessels from landing key species such as whelks and scallops into France.

French representatives agreed the situation was unfair to Jersey and warned it could pose risks for their fleets too if unresolved, the JFA said.

The association said the tone of the meeting was “overwhelmingly constructive”, with both Jersey and French representatives agreeing this meeting had “opened the door to rebuilding what was once a strong and cooperative relationship”.