Oysters set to rise in price

OYSTER prices are set to rise by 15-30 per cent this winter as stocks have been hit for the third year by a killer virus.

Producers on the west coast say they lost 40 per cent of their stock; others quote losses nearing 80 per cent.

So far the industry has received e85 million in state aid, but it will ask for more in a meeting with the agriculture minister this month.