Snail farmers are demanding more support for the industry in order to grow their business and met demand.
Escargot Ireland represents 25 of the country’s snail farms and claims supporting the emerging sector is a “no-brainer”.
Deirdre O’Connor bought 4,000 breeder snails and set up Skellig Escargot on the family suckler farm during the Covid lockdown.
“We have been hearing so much about climate change and global warming and wanted to do our best to diversify,” she says.
Every part of the snail can be used; the meat is mainly for human consumption and the snail eggs are used to produce snail caviar, one of the most expensive foods in the world. Snail slime is being used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries because of its many properties. The snail shell which is made of pure calcium can be used as a fertiliser.
Escargot Ireland believes due to increasing demand from abroad there is a shortage of snails that Ireland can meet due to its perfect climate for growing snails.
“We have everything required to make this successful except research and Government help,” said Escargot Ireland’s chair Deirdre O’Connor.
Escargot Ireland says its members have spent between €5,000 and €20,000 to set up their farms and worry they will lose it all if they do not get support.
“We are trying our best but we cannot do this alone,” she added.
LSL News.