Four-Tonne Oyster Haul Rejected in France Due to Typo

Jersey Oyster Exporter Hits Out After Four-Tonne Shipment Rejected in France

A Jersey shellfish company says it has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after French border officials turned back four tonnes of oysters because of a paperwork error.

Chris Le Masurier, owner of the Jersey Oyster Company, said the £11,000 consignment was returned due to a simple typo in a reference number — even though the information was not legally required. He branded the refusal “overkill” and accused French authorities of showing little interest in resolving the issue.

The oysters, which had been certified as healthy by Jersey’s veterinary officer, were sent back across the Channel and placed back on local beaches in the hope that some might survive.

“This isn’t about disease or health concerns,” Mr Le Masurier said. “The inspection was passed and everything was in order. But the border post still refused to release the oysters. We’re not getting anything like a reciprocal deal on trade with Europe since Brexit.”

Post-Brexit friction

Jersey’s Economic Development Minister, Deputy Kirsten Morel, described the situation as part of an “imbalanced relationship” with France and said he would raise the matter with French officials this week.

“At the moment we’re being shut out of the market,” he said. “Not because of policy decisions in Paris or problems with the product, but because of how individual border checks are carried out. It’s becoming more and more difficult for our oyster and fishing industries to export via St Malo.”

Mr Morel warned the mounting disruption was “having a massive impact, to the point of destroying” parts of the island’s seafood sector.

Push for cooperation

The rejection came as fishing representatives from Jersey, Normandy and Brittany met online to discuss shared challenges, including the future of Marine Protected Areas and the continued ban on Jersey vessels landing certain species such as whelks and scallops in France.

The Jersey Fishermen’s Association said the tone of the meeting was “overwhelmingly constructive” and had “opened the door to rebuilding what was once a strong and cooperative relationship.”

But with Christmas — the busiest time of year for oyster exports — fast approaching, Mr Le Masurier warned Jersey businesses cannot afford repeated setbacks.

“Jersey produce is wanted across Europe, and we have a strong reputation for quality,” he said. “But we need stability and confidence. A solution has to be found.”