Shellfish farmer shortlisted for award

Mussel farmer Michael Tait, from Vadlure, Walls, has made it on to the shortlist of this year’s M&S “Farming for the Future” awards.

He will find out if he has won on the first day of the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh on Thursday 18th June.

Mr Tait, the managing director of family-run Shetland Mussels Ltd, has been nominated for an Innovation award for the seafood he and his 18 employees supply to M&S.

The judges were impressed by his determination to resolve a key problem within the shellfish industry.

They said Mr Tait took on the challenge to formulate a new “risk-based matrix” for Shetland shellfish producers looking to efficiently and accurately track water-quality data.

His efforts were instrumental in securing an officially endorsed weekly test to guarantee that mussels affected by toxins never reach British consumers and the achievement has made an impact beyond Shetland’s local seafood supplies.

M&S head of agriculture and fisheries Steve Mclean said: “This year will mark our eighth Farming for the Future awards and it’s without doubt that the judging process becomes more challenging year on year.

“We are continually impressed with the commitment and passion our suppliers show and I’m delighted to once again be honouring some of the country’s most inspiring farming champions.”