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1. SUMMARY
The Scottish Government recognises that shellfish need clean healthy water in which to grow in order to ensure a good quality product which is safe for consumers to eat. The following legislation has been developed in order to protect the water quality of Scotland's shellfish growing areas.
One hundred and eight waters in Scotland are currently designated 1 under the Surface Waters (Shellfish) (Classification) (Scotland) Direction 2006. This Direction, and the Surface Waters (Shellfish) (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1997 2, transpose the Shellfish Waters Directive (2006/113 EC)( SWD) into Scots law. This Directive replaced the Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923 EEC), and consequently, the Surface Waters (Shellfish)(Scotland) Directions 1997 (containing the guideline values of the SWD) will be remade in the near future.
This consultation paper proposes eight additional sites for designation as new shellfish waters. In preparing these proposals for further designation of waters, the Scottish Government has sought and received advice from the Fisheries Research Services, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA), Scottish Water, the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) and representations from shellfish growers. We now invite comment from all interested parties.
This paper includes a consideration of the possible impact of these proposals on business, in the form of a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment. We also include a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment on proposed changes to the designation process for shellfish waters. These documents form part of the consultation, and the Scottish Government welcomes views on
- the benefits and costs of designation, in particular the costs which may be borne by individuals and businesses,
- the proposed designations,
- proposed changes to the designation process
- shellfish waters which may be suitable for de-designation, and
- the proposal for aligning SWD and Shellfish Hygiene Directive ( SHD) boundaries.
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