CODE OF PRACTICE

AUSTRALIAN FREE-RANGE SNAIL FARMING

(Heliciculture)

Sonya Begg
Orange NSW Australia
November 2009
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 Code 6

CODE OF PRACTICE
AUSTRALIAN FREE-RANGE SNAIL FARMING
(Heliciculture)

Preface

This industry Code of Practice (the Code) provides general principles and advice on the
standards for commercial breeding, farming and processing snails in Australia for the
gourmet food trade.
Snail farming practices that once may have been considered appropriate have been
reassessed in the light of new knowledge and changing attitudes to understanding the needs
of the physiology, growth, reproduction, nutrition and safe, hygienic and humane processing
of snails for human consumption.
The Australian Free-range Snail Farming Code of Practice has been developed through
consultation with representatives from free-range snail farmers in Australia and New Zealand
and an independent veterinarian.
The aim of The Code is to emphasise that free-range snail production is a sustainable
farming practice.
Free-range snail farming has a positive influence on the quality of snails. It boosts production
efficiencies and cares about the welfare of the snail livestock by protecting their primary
needs and allowing them to live according to their nature.
The Code does not intend to be an instruction manual about Heliciculture husbandry but
illustrates the most acceptable and moral method of snail production. It also encourages the
application 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 attain
ecological balance and to produce a safe, wholesome and sustainable method of snail
production 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 the
gourmet food trade.
Snail farming in Australia has moved on from highly intensive snail production and
overcrowding in small enclosures. The natural physiological characteristics of snails are
enhanced by the free-range environment as it promotes excellent metabolic and respiratory
functions for the snails.
Encouraging the natural biological cycle of growing snails has led to better breeding
performance, rate of growth and higher reproduction yields.
Stress to free-range snails is significantly reduced by less human handling of snails than
occurs in other snail farming systems. Humane processing of the snails results in a higher
quality 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 aspersus ─

formerly Helix aspersa — first described in Italy by Müller in 1774. It is a terrestrial
snail 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 the
conclusion that the aspersa species does not belong to members of the Helix genus.
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 range
minimum -3ºC to maximum 30ºC are ideal. C. aspersus adapt well to cooler regions
up 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 metabolic
activity. They are not suitable for breeding in subtropical, tropical or desert areas of
Australia.

3. Site

North facing, level to slightly undulating land, good drainage and protection from the
prevailing wind with a minimum production area of 850 sqm for production of 50,000
snails 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 a
crumbly texture for efficient oviposition. Blood and bone fertiliser can be applied pre-
planting but the soil should lean towards a slightly alkaline level. Agricultural
limestone powder (calcium carbonate) is added if needed to reach an acceptable pH
level 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 height

should be constructed around the entire perimeter of the snail production unit and
buried to a depth of 30cm.

Internal fields or paddocks for housing must be fenced with open-meshed material to
provide 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 snail
rotation.

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7. Protection from predators

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

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

8. Housing

The open fields or paddocks inside the external fence are planted with vegetables
and forage crops grown in untreated soil in which the snails live and roam free. There
are no overhead covers or shade cloth shelters so snails have the benefit of natural
ventilation, 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 other’s slime
trails. Over-slimed ground and excess faeces can modify snail behaviour by putting
out chemical signals like pheromones — detrimental to reproduction and growth rates
in terrestrial snails.

10. Snail field management

Both snails and plants are rotated between fields and each field is left vacant at least
once 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 fertility
and 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 or
white 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 natural
habitat.

Supplementary food is sometimes required in early spring or autumn. It can be grown

near to the free-range farming area or sourced from a vegetable supplier. Suitable
foods 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 even
growth 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 on
environmental 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 the
snail starts to produce its own progeny. When the progeny reach adulthood, the cycle
begins again.

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

13. Selective breeding program

From the founding groups of snails collected initially from the wild, the breeding
program is created by the selection of healthy-looking snails measuring a minimum of
30mm across the bottom of the shell and displaying even growth patterns. Snails
under 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 are
chosen for the next batch of breeders. It is common to see growth rates improve by
around 10 percent per generation.

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

14. Reproduction

C. asperses is an hermaphrodite and mutual fertilisation takes place. One or both

snails will lay eggs in the soil. The eggs usually hatch within three weeks of
oviposition and the newly hatched snails make their way to the surface to set the
biological 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 are
only 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 from
the fields to clean containers (in small batches) and fed high-fibre organic grains such
as 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 or
immobilisation by containing them in netting bags and storing these in an area with
natural, 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 are
processed by placing in a boiler with water maintained at a continuous boil that
causes 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.

Refer to Food Standards Australia New Zealand and labeling requirements to comply
with uniform food safety legislation in Australia and New Zealand when processing
and packaging snails for human consumption.

18. Quality control

Quality control of edible snails can only be determined once the snail is extracted
from 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 keep
them 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 a
safe, 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 commercial

production of snails for the gourmet food industry in Australia and New Zealand.

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

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APPENDIX A

Organisations endorsing The Code

Rural Industries Research and Development +61 2 6272 4819

Corporation rirdc@rirdc.gov.au
www.rirdc.gov.au

Yarra Valley Snails +61 407 686 275

info@yarravalleysnails.com
www.yarravalley snails.com

Silver Trail Gourmet Snails +64 6 874 8554

raewynne@silvertrailsnails.co.nz
www.silvertrailsnails.co.nz