The Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island announced support for the 8th International Conference on Molluscan Shellfish Safety to be held in Charlottetown in June of next year.

“Our Government understands the importance of this iconic industry to Canada’s economy and our local communities,” said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “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 such topics as:

– risk assessment,

– monitoring of shellfish areas,

– consumer health protection,

– managing production and harvesting, and

– post-harvest processing.

“It is most fitting that this prestigious conference is taking place in Prince Edward Island, because this province is Canada’s leading shellfish producer and exporter,” said Neil LeClair, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development. “As a department, we look forward to welcoming leading scientists, government representatives, producers and processors to discuss issues of shellfish safety and management.”

The conference will be held at the University of Prince Edward Island. The last conference took place in Nantes, France in 2009.

Canada has a very productive molluscan shellfish industry, with a landed value of approximately $240 million annually. 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 2500 people.

For more information on the 8th International Conference on Molluscan Shellfish Safety, please visit the International Conference Molluscan Shellfish Safety website.

Source:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency