Principal Investigator/Program Director (Last, First, Middle): Moore, Kenneth B PROJECT SUMMARYThe Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) was formed to foster and promote shellfish sanitationthrough the cooperation to Federal and State Shellfish Control Authorities, the shellfish industry, and theacademic community. The involvement of Federal and State agencies, the shellfish industry, and academicinterest is essential to the maintenance of safe and healthy shellfish products for the consumer. TheConference provides the forum for this involvement. The Conference adopts uniform procedures, which areincorporated into the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP). The guidelines of the NSSP areimplemented by all Shellfish Control Authorities, giving States current and comprehensive sanitationguidelines to regulate the harvesting, processing, and shipping of shellfish. The Conference also informs allinterested parties of recent development in shellfish sanitation and other major issues of concern.The Conference holds a Biennial Meeting attended by representatives of producing and non-producing states,federal agencies, industry, and academic institutions. These meetings focus on issues of importance toshellfish sanitation and safety of shellfish products consumed in the United States. ISSC Task Forces reviewproposals submitted by the Conference participants and prepares recommendations for consideration by theConference's Voting Delegates. Committees are often appointed to assist the Task forces in developingrecommendations. Delegates from each State Shellfish Control Authority vote on recommendationssubmitted by the Task Forces. Recommendations that are adopted are incorporated into the NSSP.The purpose of this application is to facilitate meeting attendance of State Voting Delegates, Task Force andCommittee members whose attendance might otherwise by 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.
