Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, for her attendance in the House this evening and would like to bring to her attention an issue that has developed chiefly in the south west of this country with respect to the mussel growing industry. The rope mussel industry is volatile.

It is one in which, largely, small family-run businesses invest heavily in gear and in other ways to grow a safe, organic and healthy food product. The enterprise is volatile in many ways, as it is subject to considerable risks. It is at the mercy of markets, weather conditions and, more recently, high toxicity levels in the water. This toxicity is naturally occurring and is due to a phenomenon known as a red tide or algal bloom. Mussels feed on the algae in the warmer months, and generally the water reaches zero toxicity and it is safe to harvest, process and consume the mussels. Unfortunately, red tide toxin levels have recently remained stubbornly high, although they have abated in the past week, especially in recent days. However, mussel growers and producers have been left with a significant problem.

If the Minister of State will pardon the pun, this is coming at the end of a perfect storm. Last year the storms over the winter caused havoc around the country. The mussel flesh of the offshore rope mussel industry that was waiting to be harvested was wiped out. Production started again, but when the farmers were about to start a new harvest in November 2014, regrettably, they were unable to do so due to high toxin levels in the water. Not alone have farmers been trying to recover from the failed harvest due to bad weather in the winter of 2013 to 2014, but they are now unable to harvest the winter 2014 harvest for the 2015 market.

To give an indication of the scale of the problem, the harbours that are directly affected are, chiefly, Kenmare Bay, Bantry Bay and areas around Dunmanus. Annually, these produce approximately 7,700 tonnes of mussels, chiefly for export. This generates an annual turnover of approximately €7 million, depending on market conditions, which is significant for a very small coastal area.

The vast majority of producers in the mussel industry are ordinary people. They are no different from onshore farmers in the west. They are family businesses and they are not in a position to absorb what has happened for three consecutive years. Could the Minister of State consider instructing BIM to put in place a compensation package through the European Fisheries Fund, EFF, under the current Common Fisheries Policy, which would enable some of those who are most affected to get back on their feet and to produce mussels once again?

Could the Minister of State clarify whether the relevant fund is the European Fisheries Fund or the European Maritime Fisheries Fund, EMFF, under the current Common Fisheries Policy that was recently adopted? Could she ask BIM to examine the possibility of accessing those compensation schemes?

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