Vol. 557 No. 4
289 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the time involved between the collection of samples from shellfish farms for biotoxin analysis and the issue of results to the farmer; and if he has satisfied himself with the speed of the process in view of the fact that shellfish could be processed or sold in the interim. [22581/02]
The national regime currently in place to monitor for the presence of marine biotoxins in shellfish has made considerable progress in the past year. In total, 96% of all sample results indicating the presence of marine biotoxins in excess of the permitted limits are reported to farmers within three working days of such samples being taken. There have been no product recalls of Irish shellfish, associated with marine biotoxins, to date during 2002 and there have been no reported human illness to date associated with the presence of marine biotoxins in Irish shellfish.
The recent appointment of a shellfish sample co-ordinator by my Department will ensure that these high standards are maintained and improved for the benefit of Irish shellfish producers and the consumers of their products.
290 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the shellfish farm bays which are currently closed to harvesting due to fears of contamination; and the length of time these closures have been in place. [22582/02]
The following bays are currently closed to harvesting: Bantry Bay, middle, for a period of 13 weeks; Bantry Bay, south, for a period of 14 weeks; north channel, Cork, for a period of five weeks; and Adrigole, for a period of three weeks.
