FDA finalizes framework to resume shellfish trade with Europe

The FDA finalized an agreement with European Union countries (Spain and the Netherlands) entitled A molluscan shellfish equivalence determination. The deal allows the trade-in shellfish between the US and the EU to resume for the first time since 2010.  The equivalence determination finalizes the proposed decision that the FDA published in the Federal Register in 2018 and resulted from a multi-year, in-depth review of EU shellfish safety controls implemented in Spain and the Netherlands. The agreement concludes that Spain and the Netherlands have implemented safety controls that are equivalent to the US. It will enable the FDA to allow Spain and the Netherlands to export raw molluscan shellfish to the US.  In a separate action, the European Commission has also made a food safety equivalence determination that will permit raw and processed molluscan shellfish, including clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops, imported from the United States, beginning with shellfish from Massachusetts and Washington. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-achieves-key-milestone-finalizes-framework-will-resume-shellfish-trade-europe-first-time-10?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery