Montague, Prince Edward Island, December 15, 2010 --- The Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island today announced support
for the 8th International Conference on Molluscan Shellfish Safety to be held in Charlottetown in June of next year.

"Our Government understands the importance of this iconic industry to Canada's economy and our local communities," said Fisheries
and Oceans Minister Gail Shea on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "We are pleased to support this important conference which will
gather experts from Canada and around the world to exchange the latest science and technology information and to advance shellfish safety."

The conference is expected to attract over 200 experts and industry officials to Prince Edward Island. It will feature such topics as:

risk assessment,

monitoring of shellfish areas,

consumer health protection,

managing production and harvesting, and

post-harvest processing.

"It is most fitting that this prestigious conference is taking place in Prince Edward Island, because this province is Canada's leading
shellfish producer and exporter," said Neil LeClair, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development. "As a department, we look
forward to welcoming leading scientists, government representatives, producers and processors to discuss issues of shellfish safety and
management."

The conference will be held at the University of Prince Edward Island. The last conference took place in Nantes, France in 2009.

Canada has a very productive molluscan shellfish industry, with a landed value of approximately $240 million annually. The Prince Edward Island
shellfish industry - which produces mussels, oysters, clams quahogs and scallops has a landed value in excess of $32 million and employs more than
2500 people.

For more information on the 8th International Conference on Molluscan Shellfish Safety, please visit the International Conference Molluscan
Shellfish Safety website .

For information:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations
613-773-6600

Minister Agriculture and Agri-Food
Press Secretary
Meagan Murdoch
613-759-1059

Wayne MacKinnon
Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development
(902) 368-4888

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