Principal Investigator/Program Director (Last, First, Middle): Moore, Kenneth B PROJECT SUMMARYThe Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) was formed to foster and promote shellfishsanitation through the cooperation of Federal and State Shellfish Control Authorities, the shellfishindustry, and the academic community. The involvement of Federal and State agencies, the shellfishindustry, and academic interest is essential to the maintenance of safe and healthy shellfish productsfor the consumer. The Conference provides the forum for this involvement. The Conference adoptsuniform procedures, which are incorporated into the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP).The guidelines of the NSSP are implemented by all Shellfish Control Authorities, giving states currentand comprehensive sanitation guidelines to regulate the harvesting, processing, and shipping ofshellfish. The Conference also informs all interested parties of recent development in shellfishsanitation and other major issues of concern.The Conference holds a Biennial Meeting attended by representatives of producing and non-producingstates, federal agencies, industry, and academic institutions. These meetings focus on issues ofimportance to shellfish sanitation and safety of shellfish products consumed in the United States. ISSCTask Forces review proposals submitted by the Conference participants and prepares recommendationsfor consideration by the Conference's Voting Delegates. Committees are often appointed to assist theTask Forces in developing recommendations. Delegates from each State Shellfish Control Authorityvote on recommendations submitted by the Task Forces. Recommendations that are adopted areincorporated into the NSSP.The purpose of this application is to facilitate meeting attendance of State Voting Delegates, TaskForce and Committee members whose attendance might otherwise be denied due to budget constraints.
Moore, Kenneth B PROJECT NARRATIVE One of the highest priorities of the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) is the development and management of the Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish. This document is used by States in implementing State programs to ensure that raw molluscan shellfish is safe for human consumption. The FDA uses the document to audit State programs to determine compliance with the standards of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP). The ISSC has developed a process for review and modification of the requirements included in the Guide. The proposed changes are incorporated into a package which is shared with the Conference. The proposals are then assigned to the Task Forces and various committees that are appointed by the Chairman. The Executive Board Chairman appoints and assigns individuals to the various committees, subcommittees or work groups that deliberate the proposals submitted to the Conference. After the proposals are deliberated and voted upon by the delegates at the Conference, the Executive Office develops and submits the Summary of Actions by voting delegates to the USFDA. After the FDA evaluates the issues and concurs or rejects the proposal action, the Executive Office incorporates these proposal outcomes as new revisions to the NSSP Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish in cooperation with FDA Office of Seafood, NOAA and EPA. These actions are designed to provide a legislative mechanism by which states and the shellfish industry can affect national shellfish sanitation policy. This unique system allows stakeholders an opportunity to comment on proposed policy changes. This cooperative rule making process is very productive but requires a significant amount of effort and participation. This forum is complex and challenging and because participants represent many different interests.
