Enhanced CSSP Requirements: Wastewater Treatment Plant Impacts

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16 July 2008

TO: Registered Shellfish Processing Establishments

SUBJECT: Enhanced CSSP Requirements: Wastewater Treatment Plant Impacts

This notice provides information on planned enhancements that will strengthen the food safety measures in shellfish harvest areas adjacent to wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In scenarios where operational failures of WWTP can occur and potentially contaminate nearby harvest areas, it is critical that timely and effective response measures are in place to avoid any affected shellfish from reaching domestic and international markets.

The CSSP partners have developed a protocol intended for implementation in those classified areas which can be impacted by a WWTP. The key elements of this protocol include:

• Development of area-specific "Management Plans" which outline collective responsibilities and a process for timely failure detection, notification, and response; and
• Enhanced HACCP controls by processors to control implicated product in the event of a failure of a WWTP.

Implementation of the protocol will be carried out in a step-wise, area by area manner. Eight harvest areas (1 in PEI, 2 in NS, 2 in NB, and 3 in BC) are scheduled for implementation before October 2008 as the first phase of the initiative. The CFIA will be following up with processors in the coming months to discuss these program updates and the QMP HACCP enhancements needed to ensure that incoming live shellfish meet Canadian regulatory requirements.

It is important for federal, provincial, municipal and industry parties to work collaboratively in this regard to prevent any contaminated product from reaching consumers, and to help maintain Canada's reputation as a source of safe, high-quality shellfish.

Further details regarding CSSP requirements can be found at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/fispoi/manman/cssppccsm/toctdme.shtml

Any questions or comments regarding the above can be directed to your local CFIA Fish Inspection office.

Sincerely,

original signed by

Mary Ann Green
Director
Fish, Seafood and Production Division
Agrifood, Meat and Seafood Safety Directorate
Canadian Food Inspection Agency