UK LOBSTER EXPORTS TO FRANCE UNAFFECTED BY NEW FRENCH MINIMUM SIZE RULES

UK lobster exports to France unaffected by new French minimum size rules

UK lobster exporters have received welcome clarification confirming that changes to France’s domestic minimum landing size rules will not affect imports of legally caught UK lobsters.

In a statement issued by the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB), the organisation said it had received confirmation via Defra that the French authorities consider the increased minimum size requirement introduced under the French Order of 24 December 2024 to apply only to French fishing vessels and professional shore fishers covered by Article 2 of the amended Order of 28 January 2013.

According to the French authorities, vessels operating outside the scope of Article 2 – including UK fishing vessels that do not fly the French flag – are not subject to Article R.922-2 of the French Rural and Maritime Fisheries Code.

As a result, there is no prohibition under French fisheries legislation on the import of lobsters measuring less than 9cm, provided they have been legally caught by UK vessels in accordance with UK regulations and their origin can be demonstrated.

The clarification comes ahead of 1 August, when concerns had been raised that the increase in France’s domestic minimum size requirement could potentially disrupt trade between the UK and one of its most important export markets for shellfish.

While the French authorities noted that other regulatory requirements may apply in certain circumstances, they confirmed they had identified no fisheries-related restrictions that would prevent imports of UK-caught lobsters below the new French minimum size threshold.

SAGB said it will continue to monitor the situation closely but hopes the clarification will give businesses the confidence to continue shipments to France as normal.

David Jarrad, Chief Executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, said the clarification had brought relief to the industry after weeks of uncertainty.

“We received confirmation from Defra setting out the French authorities’ position, rather than directly from France itself. However, this week’s clarification only came about after some French import agents advised UK exporters that the new restrictions would affect UK lobster imports.

“For the past two weeks there have been some very fraught nerves across the sector because the potential impact on trade could have been significant. One trader even cancelled a sale because of the uncertainty.

“It took until the eleventh hour to receive a definitive answer, but we’re pleased to now have that clarity. It should give both UK exporters and French importers the confidence to continue trading with shipments as normal.”

The announcement will be welcomed across the UK shellfish sector, with France remaining a vital export market for live lobsters and the clarification removing the immediate uncertainty that had threatened trade.

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