Fishermen gathering mussels on a beach (Image: GETTY) Shellfish farmers have warned they will be forced to close their firms if a solution to the ban isn't found (Image: GETTY) Ms Holmyard said she will have to make crucial decisions about the future of her firm over the coming months and may be forced to pack up if a solution to the ban isn't found. She argued that slapping on retaliatory restrictions on EU goods is not the sensible approach and urged the Government to instead thrash out an agreement with the Europeans. The company director said it would also be in Europe's best interests to have the ban lifted, as customers on the continent have also suffered as a consequence.