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Maine Congressional Delegation Calls on FDA to Expand Shellfish Export Opportunities

Press Release

Date: April 19, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Industries Animals and Wildlife

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter today to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Robert Califf, M.D., urging the FDA to outline a plan ensuring that all states wishing to export shellfish to the 28-member European Union (EU) are able to do so as the shellfish trade between the U.S. and the EU resumes. Currently, only two states are being audited by the EU to determine whether its products are suitable for export to the EU.

The FDA is carrying out an equivalency determination process to resolve a seven-year impasse that has restricted shellfish trade between the U.S. and the EU. Under this process, the U.S. and the EU conduct reciprocal reviews and audits of shellfish protection programs to ensure that the standards of the importing body are being met. The Maine congressional delegation expressed concern that limiting audits of shellfish protection programs to those in only two states will disadvantage shellfish dealers in other states, including those in Maine, wishing to explore new export opportunities.

"The equivalency determination currently being developed by the FDA should have included all states that meet the additional requirements for export to the EU, including Maine," wrote Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Poliquin in their letter. "We are troubled that Maine has been left out of the equivalency determination process given its strong record on ensuring shellfish safety."

In 2014, Maine became the first--and only--state to adopt the high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) biotoxin monitoring method, which can quantify levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) with a high level of accuracy. This methodology is used exclusively by many shellfish producing countries in the EU. This advanced biotoxins monitoring program makes Maine well-positioned to meet the EU's requirements.


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