International oyster conference

The Australian oyster industry's eyes are on Port Stephens this week as hundreds of delegates head to the area for an international conference.

Faced with many challenges including past issues of disease and contamination, industry achievements, developments and innovation will be on the agenda.

CEO of Australian Pork Andrew Spencer is speaking at the event and says his industry has overcome many challenges as well.

He says oyster producers could learn from their own strategies, including on food safety, quality assurance systems and certifications.

"Well I think in general, supply chain integrity, product integrity, absolutely top of mind in any food industry," he said.

"We've got certain ways that we deal with it and I'll be happy to talk to the conference about that and see whether some of those might be valid for them."

Mr Spencer says consumer trust is paramount but there are many ways it can be boosted.

"Quality assurance systems, quality assurance certification and how robust those systems are," he says.

"Some of the specific types of production systems that consumers prefer such as free range and outdoor bred and how we give them confidence we give them confidence that products that are labelled such are actually grown in conditions that match expectations."

Source: ABC News, 30 July 2013