US, EU agree to resume oyster and mussel trade, ending 10-year dispute

The U.S. and European Union (E.U.) have ended a 10-year trade dispute and agreed to resume oyster and mussel trading. 

The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced Friday that the E.U. and U.S. will begin bilateral trade in bivalve molluscan shellfish for the first time since 2011. 

Washington state and Massachusetts will be allowed to export live, raw and processed bivalve molluscan shellfish to the E.U. The shellfish include oysters, clams, mussels and whole or roe-on scallops. 

Spain and the Netherlands will be allowed to export those products to the U.S.

“Today’s announcement represents a positive step in the trade relationship between the United States and EU,” U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai said.  “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to both addressing trade barriers and building new opportunities for U.S. producers, and we will continue to work to strengthen the U.S.-EU trade relationship.”

In 2021, the U.S. exported $900 million worth of seafood to the E.U. The country was also one of the world’s largest seafood exporters in 2020.

“This announcement demonstrates an exciting opportunity for U.S. seafood producers to deliver world-leading products to consumers in the EU and furthers the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mission to provide U.S. stakeholders opportunities to better compete in the global marketplace,” said Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice president of the European Commission and commissioner for trade.

Other E.U. countries can join the agreement if they choose, The Associated Press reported. The 10-year dispute regarded different regulatory standards between the U.S. and E.U.