Evolution of the New Zealand Shellfish Sanitation Programme

The New Zealand shellfish sanitation programme has matured over the last 45 years along with a growing and maturing shellfish industry. The industry is dominated by aquacultures species with current annual export earnings for... [ view full abstract ]

The New Zealand shellfish sanitation programme has matured over the last 45 years along with a growing and maturing shellfish industry. The industry is dominated by aquacultures species with current annual export earnings for the largest two aquaculture species of NZ$308 million for greenshell^tm mussels (Perna canaliculus) and NZ$21 million for pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas).  There is also a growing wild harvest export industry involving surf clams (4 main species) and little neck clams (Chione stutchburyi).  Today, approximately 80% of our product is exported to over 70 countries and therefore to gain international access, our programme has to follow world’s best practice and be comprehensive enough to meet numerous market demands.

An early influence on the New Zealand programme was the USA National Shellfish Sanitation Programme when the industry expressed a desire for access to this market.  Regular competent authority reviews by the FDA and later the EU, helped to further develop our programme.

Industry, regulators and the science community are constantly scanning the horizon for new threats to shellfish safety and ensuring our programme remains fit for purpose.

This paper will cover the evolution of the New Zealand programme and some of the driving forces that lead to a programme which enabled industry to access to all key international markets.