Lobster tomalley advisory crosses the line says MP Thibault

West Nova MP Robert Thibault is demanding to know if Health Canada consulted Fisheries and Oceans before sending recently out an advisory warning Canadians to limit their consumption of lobster tomalleys.

The Health Canada advisory warned Canadians to limit their consumption of lobster tomalleys because a toxin specific to lobster and shellfish, known as paralytic shellfish poison can sometimes be found in these organs. But at the bottom of the advisory, Health Canada recommends that adults can safely consume up to two lobster tomalleys per day.

“The average Canadian does not consume two or more lobsters every day. I fear that this advisory will have a negative affect on Atlantic Canada and the lobster industry,” said Thibault, whose riding in includes the lucrative lobster fishing in southwestern N.S.

At Health Committee on May 15, Thibault had the opportunity to raise this issue with the Minister of Health, Tony Clement. Thibault demanded a response in writing from the minister about this problem and stressed the impact that advisories like this could have on the industry. Thibault also questioned how the minister of fisheries can remain silent on such a serious matter.

“Right now, your department advises Canadians of health risks, of certain foods, of certain behaviours, and that's fine, and that's necessary. Sometimes it crosses the line,” said Thibault. “My question to you is; what process do you follow? Do you talk to the Department of Fisheries and the provinces before putting out advisories? It's a very, very remote risk, but you may be putting a billion-dollar industry at risk in coastal Atlantic Canada.”

The total all of Canada landed value for lobster in 2005 was nearly $700 million dollars.