Brexit may force the closure of eel fishery
AGLOUCESTERSHIRE eel farm could be forced to close if it fails to meet requirements that have been introduced as a result of Brexit.
Glass Eels, a sustainable fishery that has been catching and distributing glass elver eels from the River Severn since the 1970s, exports to countries including Germany, Sweden and Lithuania without the need for checks or restrictions.
But when the UK’S Brexit transition period ends on December 31, the company will have to meet the requirements that exist for non-eu members and prove its practices are not detrimental to endangered species.
The majority of the company’s eels are sold to Europe for restocking projects, with a proportion for sustainable aquaculture. To be allowed to trade with the EU, a review will need to be carried out by the European Commission’s Scientific Review Group.
Glass Eels will need to produce a socalled ‘non-detriment finding’ – a requirement before an export or import permit or a certificate is issued.
This will come in the form of research carried out by Glass Eels and the Environment Agency, which will then be put forward to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee – a public body that advises the Government on Uk-wide and international nature conservation – to assess whether the company’s fishing practices are sustainable.
Victoria Hale, office manager of Glass Eels, said: “We’ve had to produce our own paper, which has been peer reviewed and published.
“Now we just have to wait for our fate to be decided as to whether we can export to the EU or not… Brexit might mean the end of our business.”
Glass Eels said it was also facing issues because it was no longer able to fly the eels out of Gloucestershire airport because it was not a registered animal border inspection post. Ms Hale said: “This will mean flying them probably to Manchester and will cause major issues if we are able to export as it will mean too much handling of the glass eels and the risk of them getting warm on runways, having delayed take-off times and ultimately dying. “Each delivery on the aircraft is worth £200,000 to £300,000. These are live fish which are on the endangered species list, so if they die we lose the shipment and the money.”
Matt Griffith, director of policy at Bristol-based chambers Business West, said: “Companies are facing a huge amount of change due to new rules and regulations introduced because of Brexit as well as the added pressure of the pandemic affecting supply chains.
“We are doing everything we can to support companies like Glass Eels. While the issue of restricting eel fishing is not dependent on a deal or no-deal Brexit, it’s important that attention is drawn to issues like this so businesses have a voice during the negotiations.”