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CODE OF PRACTICE

AUSTRALIAN FREE-RANGE SNAIL FARMING

(Heliciculture)

Sonya BeggOrange NSW Australia

November 2009


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CONTENTS

Preface 1

Background 1

Species of snail suitable for free-range snail farming 2

Climatic conditions 2

Site 2

Soil 2

Water 2

Fencing 2

Protection from predators 3

Housing 3

Housing density 3

Snail field management 3

Nutrition 3

Biological cycle 3

Selective breeding program 4

Reproduction 4

Organic principles 4

Harvesting 4

Humane processing 5

Quality control 5

Benefits of free-range snail production 5

Conclusion 5

APPENDIX A Organisations endorsing the Code6


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CODE OF PRACTICEAUSTRALIAN FREE-RANGE SNAIL FARMING

(Heliciculture)

Preface

This industry Code of Practice (the Code) provides general principles and advice on thestandards for commercial breeding, farming and processing snails in Australia for thegourmet food trade.

Snail farming practices that once may have been considered appropriate have beenreassessed in the light of new knowledge and changing attitudes to understanding the needsof the physiology, growth, reproduction, nutrition and safe, hygienic and humane processingof snails for human consumption.

The Australian Free-range Snail Farming Code of Practice has been developed throughconsultation with representatives from free-range snail farmers in Australia and New Zealandand an independent veterinarian.

The aim of The Code is to emphasise that free-range snail production is a sustainablefarming practice.

Free-range snail farming has a positive influence on the quality of snails. It boosts productionefficiencies and cares about the welfare of the snail livestock by protecting their primaryneeds and allowing them to live according to their nature.

The Code does not intend to be an instruction manual about Heliciculture husbandry butillustrates the most acceptable and moral method of snail production. It also encourages theapplication of organic principles to further enhance the biological cycle of raising snails.

The Code provides insight on how to optimise the welfare and health of snails to attainecological balance and to produce a safe, wholesome and sustainable method of snailproduction and humane processing.

Background

While free-range snail farming is a newly recognised and emerging rural industry in Australia,it has been established as the most sustainable method of breeding and raising snails for thegourmet food trade.

Snail farming in Australia has moved on from highly intensive snail production and

overcrowding in small enclosures. The natural physiological characteristics of snailsareenhanced by the free-range environment as it promotes excellent metabolic and respiratoryfunctions for the snails.

Encouraging the natural biological cycle of growing snails has led to better breedingperformance, rate of growth and higher reproduction yields.

Stress to free-range snails is significantly reduced by less human handling of snails thanoccurs in other snail farming systems. Humane processing of the snails results in a higherquality snail product.

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1. Species of snail suitable for free-range snail farming

The recommended species for free-range snail farming is Cantareus aspersusformerly Helix aspersa first described in Italy by Mller in 1774. It is a terrestrialsnail and is herbivorous. It is known in Australia as the common brown garden snail.

Note: The anatomy or DNA of this group was examined and revised with theconclusion that the aspersa species does not belong to members of the Helixgenus.Hence the systematic transfer and reclassification in the genus Cantareus.

(Darryl Potter (MEnvSc,DipBiolSc), Biodiversity Collection Manager,Marine Zoology (Crustacea & Mollusca)Queensland Museum).

2. Climatic conditions

Temperate regions of Australia and New Zealand with yearly temperature rangeminimum -3C to maximum 30C are ideal. C.aspersus adapt well to cooler regionsup to 750m above sea level and endure frost and snow if given adequate shelter.

C. aspersus are induced to aestivate when drought and heat reduce their metabolicactivity. They are not suitable for breeding in subtropical, tropical or desert areas ofAustralia.

3. Site

North facing, level to slightly undulating land, good drainage and protection from theprevailing wind with a minimum production area of 850 sqm for production of 50,000snails per season.

4. Soil

The soil should be untreated by any type of residual chemical.

The makeup of the soil should contain organic matter to make a friable loam with acrumbly texture for efficient oviposition. Blood and bone fertiliser can be applied pre-planting but the soil should lean towards a slightly alkaline level. Agriculturallimestone powder (calcium carbonate) is added if needed to reach an acceptable pHlevel around 7.5- 8.00.

5. Water

800mm to 1500mm rainfall is ideal. Supplementary supply of clean water (irrigation)

when required for crops or to encourage snail activity.

6. Fencing

An external fence of corrugated galvanised iron sheeting measuring 850mm in heightshould be constructed around the entire perimeter of the snail production unit andburied to a depth of 30cm.

Internal fields or paddocks for housing must be fenced with open-meshed material toprovide adequate air circulation and ventilation for essential respiration of the snails.

Note: The size of the internal fields is determined by the size of the area designated

to snail production. A minimum of ten internal fields is required for crop and snailrotation.

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7. Protection from predators

The external fence prevents the entry of burrowing predators and other unwantedanimals such as snakes and lizards. If kangaroos are a problem, the addition of anelectric out-rigger wire is recommended.

Densely planted food and shelter crops provide protection from the elements and birdpredators.

8. Housing

The open fields or paddocksinside the external fence are planted withvegetablesand forage crops grown in untreated soil in which the snails live and roam free. Thereare no overhead covers or shade cloth shelters so snails have the benefit of naturalventilation, sunlight, rain and the evening dew.

9. Housing density

The maximum on ground stocking density recommendations are:

Breeding snails 20 per sq m (Reproduction field)Juvenile snails 140 per sq m (Growing fields)Adult snails 80 sq m (Holding fields)

The freedom to roam in large areas allows the snails to avoid each others slimetrails. Over-slimed ground and excess faeces can modify snail behaviour by puttingout chemical signals like pheromones detrimental to reproduction and growth ratesin terrestrial snails.

10. Snail field management

Both snails and plants are rotated between fields and each field is left vacant at leastonce a year, to rest or to administer weed control and soil improvement.

Vacant fields are planted with legumes as a green manure crop to improve soil fertilityand weed matting is also used to prevent weed germination in resting fields.

11. Nutrition

Forage brassicas, plantain, leafy turnip, lettuce, white radish, silverbeet and red orwhite clover are valued as a food source for the correct amount of protein, calcium,

vitamins and minerals for snail health and vitality. The crops also provide a naturalhabitat.

Supplementary food is sometimes required in early spring or autumn. It can be grownnear to the free-range farming area or sourced from a vegetable supplier. Suitablefoods include carrots, cucumber, cabbage, sweet potato, oats and unprocessed bran,full fat soy, calcium carbonate (garden lime).

12. Biological cycle

The biological cycle starts initially with the selection of large, robust snails with evengrowth patterns. These snails form the foundation for a solid genetic base.

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The biological cycle requires time six to twelve months depending onenvironmental conditions and the time of the year the snails are hatched (spring,summer or autumn).

The biological cycle starts at mating and finishes when adulthood is reached and thesnail starts to produce its own progeny. When the progeny reach adulthood, the cyclebegins again.

Snails must complete their biological cycle including winter hibernation, to ensurehigh fecundity and fertility.

13. Selective breeding program

From the founding groups of snails collected initially from the wild, the breedingprogram is created by the selection of healthy-looking snails measuring a minimum of30mm across the bottom of the shell and displaying even growth patterns. Snailsunder the minimum size or with obvious, uneven growth lines are culled and

discarded.

The progeny of the selected snails judged to have the best growth rate and size arechosen for the next batch of breeders. It is common to see growth rates improve byaround 10 percent per generation.

To avoid any unwanted traits that may result in decreased size and fertility fromcontinuous line-breeding, a number of snails from another free-range breeder sourcecan be introduced around every three to five years.

14. Reproduction

C. asperses is an hermaphrodite and mutual fertilisation takes place. One or bothsnails will lay eggs in the soil. The eggs usually hatch within three weeks ofoviposition and the newly hatched snails make their way to the surface to set thebiological cycle in motion again.

15. Organic principles

crops are planted without the use of synthetic fertilisers

no chemicals are used in the snail fields

crops are rotated to disrupt any soil-born diseases

companion planting is encouraged

crops are planted densely to help prevent weed growth

finished crops are ploughed back into the ground as green manure crops

physical controls are maintained for unwanted weeds and pests

biological control using insectary plants attract beneficial bugs

working with the appropriate rhythmic influences of the moon for planting,cultivation, and harvesting snails

ecological benefits of natural sunlight, organic soil, rain and the evening dew.

16. Harvesting

Juvenile and adult snails should have minimum contact with the snail breeder and areonly handled when picked up for transfer or harvesting to purging containers.

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17. Humane processing

Part of the processing procedure is called purging. The snails are transferred fromthe fields to clean containers (in small batches) and fed high-fibre organic grains suchas unprocessed bran or wheat germ to rid their digestive system of any soil or grit.

After six days of purging, snails are placed into temporary aestivation orimmobilisation by containing them in netting bags and storing these in an area withnatural, cool air circulation or in a cool room for another 24 hours before processing.

While the snails are immobilised and their metabolism has decelerated, they areprocessed by placing in a boiler with water maintained at a continuous boil thatcauses instant death.

Note: Unacceptable processing methods

live snails soaked in salted water (drowning)

live snails put in cold water before water is brought to the boil

live snails placed in boiling water while actively crawling or moving around.

RefertoFood Standards Australia New Zealand and labeling requirements to complywith uniform food safety legislation in Australia and New Zealand when processingand packaging snails for human consumption.

18. Quality control

Quality control of edible snails can only be determined once the snail is extractedfrom its shell.

It is recommended that snails are not sold live to the consumer. Unknown and

unacceptable processing methods and feeding of unsuitable or unsafe food to keepthem active and for a longer period may pose health risks to the consumer.

Only processed, free-range snails are marketed to ensure optimum quality and asafe, clean, wholesome product for the consumer.

19. Benefits of free-range snail production

Contributes to the ecological balance of the snail raising environment.

Other advantages include:

high yields of snails low mortality rates

20. Conclusion

Free-range snail farming is a sustainable and viable method of commercialproduction of snails for the gourmet food industry in Australia and New Zealand.

Further information can be obtained from www.rirdc.gov.au orwww.snailfarming.net

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http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/http://www.rirdc.gov.au/http://www.snailfarming.net/http://www.snailfarming.net/http://www.rirdc.gov.au/http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/


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APPENDIX A

Organisations endorsing The Code

Rural Industries Research and DevelopmentCorporation

+61 2 6272 [email protected]

Yarra Valley Snails +61 407 686 [email protected] snails.com

Silver Trail Gourmet Snails +64 6 874 [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]://www.rirdc.gov.au/mailto:[email protected]://www.yarravalley/mailto:[email protected]://www.silvertrailsnails.co.nz/http://www.silvertrailsnails.co.nz/mailto:[email protected]://www.yarravalley/mailto:[email protected]://www.rirdc.gov.au/mailto:[email protected]


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