Conwy Mussel Company to close, blaming 'overzealous' council health inspectors

The news source said Conwy Mussel Company alleges that Conwy Council environmental health officers are “harassing” them and announced their closure after 15 years “with great sadness”.

However, Conwy Council insists its actions are only in the interest of public safety.

Thomas Jones, whose father Trevor Jones and Martin Parry own the plant, told the newspaper that since the season began in September 2012 , they had been subject to over 45 visits from regulatory officers, along with meetings, e-mails, letters and telephone conversations.

Mr Jones insists the mussels he is being told not to sell are of a higher purity than A class beds where mussels can be harvested for direct human consumption.

“While we have made every possible effort to work with our health officers and abide by their demands, it has now become impossible to work with this level of victimisation.”

But Conwy Council defended its action. A spokesman said the business had been slow to alter its practices and systems sufficiently to fully comply with the rules that are there to minimise the risk to public safety.

However, the business had made enough progress by lastweek for the council to agree it could remain open.