Canadian Audit of the Mexican Shellfish Sanitation Program Final Audit Report - 2016
2. Audit objective, scope and methodology

The objective of this audit was to determine if the MSSP provides an equivalent level of health protection as those provided by the CSSP and the QMP.

The scope of the audit included the whole bivalve mollusc production chain for products intended to be exported to Canada, in particular:

• Growing area classification
• Harvesting controls
• Vessel controls
• Conveyances
• Landing areas
• Processing establishments
• Laboratories

The MSSP technical guide contains additional criteria and standards for relaying, depuration, shellstock shucking and post-harvest processing. However, since none of these activities are employed by any certified establishments in Mexico they were not included in the scope of the audit.

The process included a review of relevant regulations, methods of implementation, site inspections, observation of establishment conditions, MSSP verification activities, general level of operator compliance with Mexican food safety requirements, and subsequent corrective and follow-up actions.

The audit was conducted by assessing the implementation of the MSSP by the competent authority. In addition, the auditors noted any areas where the MSSP differed from the CSSP and QMP. Where there were differences, an assessment was made to determine if the MSSP provides the same level of public health protection as those provided by the CSSP and QMP. The audit was conducted using standard audit techniques of document review, interviews and observation.

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