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Graded Oysters after purification at Mylor
When we have gathered the oysters we are required to complete a form providing details of name, date, quantity, area of collection and species (Live Shellfish Movement Document). When the oysters are sold the form is also completed by us as a merchant with our name, EU Approval Number and date which provides a record of where the oysters are sold to. A copy of the form is kept by the Falmouth and Truro Port Health Authority. This ensures that there is traceability through the supply chain.
After harvesting the oysters from the wild oyster beds we sometimes keep some oysters on shallow beds in adjacent rivers and creeks of the Fal and Helford estuaries which are commonly called lays. The lays are more accessible than the fishery and provide a short term storage period. The main benefit of relaying oysters is to manage the peaks in supply and demand but since a small part of the fishery was tested at a lower water quality and given Water Classification Grade C they also have a use for purification.
Traceability is maintained by fishermen and merchants who complete the same form (Live Shellfish Movement Document) for movement of oysters to the lays and again when they are moved off the lays at the end of the storage period and they submit a copy to the Port Health Authority.
As oyster merchants we keep detailed records of who we buy from and who we sell to. We also keep records of the schedules followed for each batch of oysters through the purification (depuration) system. We attach information such as species, batch number, EU Approval Number, date, on the label for the packaging which is used when sold. These records are kept by us to comply with EU legislation on the traceability and hygiene of shellfish products.
The labelling is very specific and includes all the information including the batch number so that the fisherman, date and location of gathering, site and duration of relaying, depuration time and conditions can all be traced via the processing records and movement documents. The label also records the health mark and approval number for the processor plus species, weight, date of packing. Information on the label complies with the relevant legislation.
Records are kept of the depuration system including ensuring traceability of the oysters, water circulation, dates and times. These records are checked routinely by the Local Authority / Port Health Authority and occasionally by CEFAS during their periodic inspection of the processor. The processor keeps a record of who was sold each batch number.