The course will take place at Itacorubi, Santa Catarina, Brazil from 12 to 16 September 2011.
The aim of the training is to build Brazil's capacity and expertise in shellfish production by:
- Assisting Brazilian officials to do sanitary surveys of shellfish productions areas
- enhancing the country's capacity to implement monitoring programmes that meet European statutory requirements.
The state of Santa Catarina is where 95 per cent of Brazil's shellfish production is sited. Since 2006, the Brazilian government has been developing a strategic programme that aims to export its shellfish products to lucrative European markets.
Brazil's investment in Epagri (its government institution responsible for the implementation of this strategy) has led to a growing collaboration with Cefas. Epagri currently lacks expertise in doing sanitary surveys, so Cefas' course will include not only theoretical seminars but also two days of fieldwork in shellfish production areas.
Cefas' Carlos Campos said: "We believe this course suits the Brazilian Government's needs very well with respect to shellfish hygiene and will help establish the Brazilian national shellfish sanitation programme."
"As most of the oyster and mussel farmers' output from Santa Catarina is of particular interest to EU importers, this training will certainly be an important contribution to Brazil's desire for greater international trade for molluscs from this region."
