Mass. shellfish farmers could see boost with new US-EU deal

The European Union and the United States have agreed to resume trade in oysters, clams, mussels and scallops starting at the end of February, settling a 10-year trade dispute.

Trade in live mollusks between the EU and the United States had stopped in 2011 due to a divide in regulatory standards.

Under the deal announced Friday, two EU member countries — Spain and the Netherlands — will be allowed to export mollusks to the U.S., while two American states — Massachusetts and Washington — can now trade to the EU.

Dan Martino, who owns Cottage City Oyster Co. on Martha's Vineyard, sees restarting trade as a “huge opportunity.” His company grows oysters, bay scallops and seaweed products.

“I think what you'll see is the very high-end oyster places, both in America and in Europe, getting their hands on select products,” he said. “It will become, like, a very boutique thing to be able to have an American oyster in Europe, or a European oyster in America.”

Martino pointed out that the species of oysters that thrive in each climate are different: Belan oysters coming over from Europe, for instance, would be exotic to American consumers.

“What it really is is a chance to introduce a new oyster species to brand new markets, whether that's bringing the European stuff over here or shipping the American stuff over there,” he said. ‘So it's just an all around exciting time, you know, for oyster consumers to be able to try something new.”

The European Union also removed EU tariffs on U.S. lobsters — caught mainly in the Atlantic off New England — in return for reduced U.S. duties on EU exports from ceramics to prepared meals worth an annual $200 million.

Both sides praised the deal as another positive step in their trade relationship since U.S. President Joe Biden took over from Donald Trump.

“I warmly welcome this deal, which resolves a longstanding issue we have been working hard to unlock," said Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commission executive vice president and commissioner for trade.

“Since the EU-U.S. summit in June 2021, we have made several breakthroughs: grounding the Airbus-Boeing dispute, launching the Trade and Technology Council and pausing our steel and aluminum trade dispute," Dombrovskis said. “All these achievements, plus this latest resumption of trade in bivalve mollusks, help to create sustainable economic growth and jobs for our workers.”

In addition to Spain and the Netherlands, the EU said that other member countries could join the agreement and be allowed to export mollusks to the U.S. under a simplified authorization procedure.

“This is good news for food operators and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic,“ Stella Kyriakides, the European Commission’s commissioner for health and food safety, said in a statement Friday. “I look forward to the extension of this opportunity to more EU Member States in the near future".

The U.S. is the EU’s largest trade and investment partner.