104 



Clearly, Vibrio Vulnificus, and other biotoxins pose the greatest 

 health risks associated with shellfish at this point in time. Every 

 effort must be made to find a responsible solution to the problems 

 posed by Vulnificus. The industry on all three coasts, not just the 

 Gulf of Mexico, cannot survive continued fatalities associated with 

 the consumption of oysters. 



Before I conclude, I would like to thank Representative Jolene Unsoeld 

 for introducing House Bill 1412 establishing the National Shellfish 

 Safety Program. It is an excellent, comprehensive bill that tackles 

 head-on the most pressing problems faced by the domestic shellfish 

 industry, including: 



- protection and restoration of shellfish growing areas that 

 have been impacted by pollution. 



- requirements that foreign producers meet the same water 

 quality, sanitation, and program requirements as the domestic 

 industry; 



- authorizing federal support to state shellfish control 

 agencies to help implement federal guidelines; and 



- extending FDA's enforcement authority to individual 

 shellfish shippers. 



PCOGA has submitted more extensive written comments specific to HR 

 1412. We are wholly in support of the bill, and urge the 

 Subcommittee's support as well. 



Thank You. 



