Health Law

Canada to Host International Shellfish Conference

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

The 8th International Conference on Molluscan Shellfish Safety will be held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island next June.

Both the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island are supporting the conference, which will be held at the University of Prince Edward Island.

 "Our Government understands the importance of this iconic industry to Canada's economy and our local communities," said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea. "We are pleased to support this important conference which will gather experts from Canada and around the world to exchange the latest science and technology information and to advance shellfish safety."

The conference is expected to attract over 200 experts and industry officials to Prince Edward Island.  It will feature risk assessment, monitoring of shellfish areas, consumer health protection, managing production and harvesting, and post-harvest processing.

The landed value of Canada's shellfish industry is estimated at $240 million a year.  The Prince Edward Island shellfish industry--which produces mussels, oysters, clams, quahogs and scallops--has a landed value in excess of $32 million and employs more than 2,500.

The last conference took place in Nantes, France in 2009.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on December 20, 2010 (boomark / email).