Reciprocal Trade Agreement With the European Union
On February 4, 2022, the United States and the European Union (EU) concluded negotiations allowing for resumption of bilateral trade in bivalve molluscan shellfish. For the first time since 2011, U.S. producers - beginning in the states of Massachusetts and Washington - are eligible to export live, raw and processed bivalve molluscan shellfish to the EU. This includes oysters, clams, mussels and whole or roe-on scallops. EU producers in Spain and the Netherlands are also now eligible to export live and raw bivalve molluscan shellfish to the United States.
Questions and Answers on Shellfish Traded Between the United States and Certain Member States of the European Union
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a helpful web page of questions and answers providing information about the implementation, operation and maintenance of an equivalence determination for food safety measures related to shellfish traded between the United States and the EU.
Guidance on Export Certification to the European Union
The NOAA Seafood Inspection Program is the competent authority within the U.S. Government for issuance of certain certificates required for export of fish and fishery products to the European Union (EU). This handy guide explains it all.
EU's List of U.S. Companies Approved for Export
The list of U.S. companies who have been approved to export bivalve molluscs to the European Union. So far only companies in Massachusetts and Washington state are eligible to seek approval.