Canada bans NZ live mussel exports due to parasite; frozen imports not affected
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Stuff.NZ] by CATHIE BELL Sept. 26, 2014
Canada has barred live greenshell mussel exports from New Zealand because of a new parasite found in Marlborough Sounds mussels.
Nelson-based Cawthron Institute reported finding the single-celled organism Perkinsus olseni last month.
The Express understands the affected mussel came from a marine farm in the Marlborough Sounds before being taken to Cawthron for breeding last year.
In accordance with international agreements the find was notified to the World Animal Health Organisation, which has 180 member nations.
A Ministry for Primary Industries spokesman confirmed yesterday that Canadian authorities had placed an interim restriction on the import of live New Zealand greenshell mussel products.
However, he played down the significance of the ban.
New Zealand had exported one consignment of about 88 kilograms of live greenshell mussels to Canada worth less than $1000 since November last year...
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