November 5, 2009
Bronson Announces Workshops To Address Oyster Safety
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced that workshops have been scheduled to discuss the requirements of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) involving oysters and Vibrio vulnificus bacteria.
Requirements of the NSSP will be discussed with affected oyster industry members throughout the state, and input received from harvesters, processors and members of the general public who are interested in the issue will be used to shape the potential rule amendments which are likely to significantly impact commercial harvesting and processing of oysters. NSSP requirements call for significant decrease in time allowed for commercial oyster harvest and for significantly quicker cool down of oysters at the oyster processor during the months of May through October.
“I would encourage oyster harvesters and processors to attend these important meetings,” Bronson said. “Any proposed rule amendments will apply to commercial oyster harvesting and processing in Florida.”
The workshops will be held from November 30 through December 10, 2009, at numerous locations around the state ranging from Ponte Vedra Beach to Milton. Meeting times, dates and locations for these workshops are available from the Division of Aquaculture at www.floridaaquaculture.com/notices.htm or by calling (850) 488-4033.
For more information:
Dr. David Heil
(850) 488-4033
heild@doacs.state.fl.us
