Written Answers. - Shellfish Industry.
Michael Ring
Question:
164
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
if the forced policies of the molluscan shellfish safety committee are based on either precaution without scientific back-up or lack of resources; the funding that was allocated to this committee in each year since 1995; and the plans he has to increase the committee's funding in view of the increased number of shellfish producers.
[25476/00]
Michael Ring
Question:
165
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the reason the Irish biotoxin regime is being constructed to exceed the requirements of EC 91/492 and far exceed the requirements of the biotoxin monitoring regimes in our main competitor countries.
[25477/00]
Michael Ring
Question:
166
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
when chemical testing of shellfish will be introduced as recommended by the Biotoxin Task Force in 1995.
[25429/00]
Michael Ring
Question:
167
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
when monitoring of water to identify the presence of toxic phytoplankton will be introduced as recommended by the Biotoxin Task Force in 1995.
[25430/00]
Michael Ring
Question:
168
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
if he will introduce the re-opening of shellfish production bases after two clear tests, rather than after two clear weeks.
[25431/00]
Michael Ring
Question:
169
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the plans he has to introduce species specific closures in the shellfish industry, rather than forced closure of contiguous bays.
[25432/00]
Michael Ring
Question:
170
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the plans he has to introduce specific testing of AZP in the shellfish industry.
[25433/00]
Michael Ring
Question:
171
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the plans he has to direct resources to the biotoxin monitoring programme; the number of staff in the programme; the number of samples from producers frozen daily or weekly due to the lack of staff to process them; if twice weekly sample results can be made available within 48 hours to producers; and if he will introduce compulsory communication with producers on samples after five hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25434/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 to 171, inclusive, together.
The primary objective of the National Biotoxin Programme is to protect public health and safeguard the position of the Irish shellfish industry by ensuring that shellfish placed on the home and export markets comply with the highest standards. The programme has been comprehensively reviewed in recent months and is being further reinforced at present. The Molluscan Shellfish Safety Committee, chaired by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, is the forum representing all key agencies and the industry which is overseeing the changes in train.
Resource requirements for the natural biotoxin programme are being significantly enhanced. The recruitment of additional staff for the Marine Institute's national biotoxins reference laboratory, and for my Department's sea fisheries control division is getting under way.
Chemical testing of shellfish is in place for the testing of scallops for the presence of domoic acid using the HPLC method. Chemical testing of shellfish on a nationwide basis for the presence of a range of biotoxins, including AZP, is being fully scaled up at the Marine Institute and Cork Institute of Technology.
Monitoring of seawater samples for the presence of toxic phytoplanktons has been carried out by the Marine Institute on a seasonal basis since 1989. This programme is being comprehensively scaled up to provide a year round service from 1 January next.
The closure and re-opening of shellfish production areas is undertaken on the advice of the Marine Institute. Re-opening of a closed area is permitted only where results for two successive weeks confirm that shellfish samples from the area are not contaminated by biotoxins. Changes to these arrangements could only be considered after detailed scientific investigation which would show that an alternative arrangement fully safeguards public health.
Species specific closures of shellfish production areas are already operated in certain circumstances where the scientific advice indicates that such a course of action is an appropriate measure for the protection of public health. The question of a more extensive use of such closures will require further scientific investigation by the Marine Institute, in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and my Department.
Fresh shellfish samples from producers have been frozen at the Marine Institute or at associated laboratories on 11 occasions, involving 43 samples, during 2000. I am advised that sample results will be made available to producers by the Marine Institute within 48 hours of receipt of the sample at the relevant laboratory. This follows the introduction of twice weekly sampling and testing of shellfish production areas from last September. The arrangements for conveying sample results to producers are being kept under review with the objective of ensuring that results are transmitted in the most timely and effective way achievable.
