Irishman elected chair of European shellfish producers’ group

AN Irishman has been elected chairman of a federation of European shellfish producer organisations for a two-year term.

Richie Flynn, executive secretary of IFA Aquaculture for the past 12 years, was a member of the initial group that proposed the formation of a federation to represent shellfish producers’ interests in 2000.

The European Mollusc Producers’ Association (EMPA) now represents producers in eight different countries.

They farm and market oysters, mussels, clams, scallops and other marine shellfish, worth about €850 million per annum to the European Union.

Mr Flynn said the EMPA has been intensively involved in shaping EU legislation impacting on shellfish producers, most importantly on biotoxins, consumer health, fish health and import regulations. It lobbies in Brussels with the European Parliament and also uses its position on the EU Commission’s Aquaculture Advisory Committee to liaise with other aquaculture, consumer and environmental bodies to input directly into new legislation.

EMPA meets three times a year and has a part-time secretariat based in Paris, hosted by CNC, the French producers’ organisation.