Mussel farmer shortlisted

ONE OF Shetland’s most prominent mussel farmers has been named as a finalist in the innovation category at this year’s prestigious Marks & Spencer’s ‘Farming for the Future’ awards.

Michael Tait of Shetland Mussels Ltd was shortlisted for implementing a testing regime guaranteeing that locally grown mussels affected by toxins never reach British consumers.

The Walls-based company, which employs 18 people, supplies the national retailer with locally grown mussels.

Minimising the risk of toxins for the industry has spurred greater confidence in national products and therefore had a positive effect on the industry as a whole as well as the Scottish economy, M&S said.

Tait will find out if he has been crowned winner on the first day of the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh on 18 June.