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The Economic Impact of Algal Toxin Closures on Shellfish Dependent Communities on the Scottish Coast and Implications for the Sector's Future Structure
ANNEX 1: A BRIEF GUIDE TO THE PROPOSED TIERED SYSTEM SAMPLING REGIME FOR TESTING AMNESIC SHELLFISH POISONING (ASP) LEVELS IN KING SCALLOPS
Introduction
The effects of the Commission Decision which provides for the introduction of a tiered approach to the harvesting and processing of king scallops from waters affected by Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) are complex. This advice note is intended to provide a simple guide to the key points insofar as they relate to the sampling requirements.
Key Points
There will be no change in the action level in respect of end product testing.
End product testing will, however, have to be carried out on every 'batch' of product harvested under the tiered system. Producers will continue to be required to ensure that the products they place on the market do not exceed the existing action level of 20 micrograms (mg/kg) of Domoic Acid per gram of flesh.
The new
trigger level (set at 4.6 mg/kg) applies only to official monitoring samples, and will be used to establish the processing conditions which will apply to king scallops harvested from different production areas. The scientific justification for the use of trigger levels is that individual scallops from the same location may vary considerably in their toxicity. Therefore, by applying a trigger level, the risk of anyone consuming scallops products with high levels of toxin, i.e. above 20 mg/kg, due to variability is significantly reduced. This new control measure was also felt necessary because the tiered system allows for the harvesting of animals with much higher toxin levels than is currently permitted.
A new upper limit will operate which will require production areas to be closed if official monitoring indicates toxin levels greater than 250 mg/kg in the whole animal. This was proposed to help control the potential risk to public health associated with possible cross contamination between the different parts of the scallop which may be processed under the tiered regime.
For harvesting boxes to remain open under the tiered system one sample per box is required within the time period of 1-7 days. If no sample is taken, then the given box will be closed due to lack of evidence of toxin levels. Once closed, a box can then be opened again by the submission of two samples taken no less than 24 hours apart that are found to be below the required levels of toxin.
Summary of Main Conditions
End Product Testing
Every batch of scallop products processed under this regime must be end product tested by the processor. If the test result indicates toxin levels in excess of 20 mg/kg, then the batch in question must be destroyed.
Official Sampling and Monitoring
If ASP levels in the whole animal are below 20 mg/kg of Domoic Acid per gram of flesh (the action level) then there will be no restrictions on fishing activity.
If ASP levels in the whole animal are between 20-250 mg/kg of Domoic Acid per gram of flesh, the following conditions will apply:
Marketing of whole animals is prohibited;
If the toxin level in both the roe and the white meat is below 4.6 mg/kg, then both can be marketed;
If the level of toxin in the roe is 4.6 mg/kg or above, but the white meat is below then only the white meat can be marketed;
If the toxin level in both the roe and the white meat is 4.6 mg/kg or above, then no harvesting is permitted, i.e. the affected production area will be closed.
If ASP levels in the whole animal exceed 250 mg/kg, then the affected production area will be closed.
If no samples are taken between within 7 days of the previous sample, production areas will be subject to precautionary closure.
For further information or additional copies of this note, please contact Mr David Basford (Tel. 01224 285138 or e-mailDavid.Basford@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk ))
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