French oyster producers say the much-loved mollusc is at risk of becoming a thing of the past. Will we soon be saying adieu to oysters?
Cupped oysters all over Europe are suffering from a Herpes virus epidemic which began 3 years ago and is threatening to completely destroy the industry. The situation is especially bad in France, where oyster farmers are losing a staggering 80% of their income.
While the virus doesn’t pose a health threat to humans, it is devastating the livelihoods of those in the business. And many natural oyster farmers are angry that the spread of the virus may well have been exacerbated by the introduction of laboratory manipulated and reproduced oysters.
French oyster farmers were at the Salone del Gusto, Slow Food’s international fair for traditional food producers, to publicise their plight.
(first published in European Business Week, Deutsche Welle Radio, 31st October, 2010)
Link to Article – Radio DW – Adieu to Oysters 31 October 2010