Official control biotoxin monitoring (live bivalve molluscs) programme (Northern Ireland)
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Implications of the new food hygiene regulations for shellfish monitoring in Northern Ireland
The new Food Hygiene Regulations came into force on 11 January 2006, and are the result of an exercise by the European Commission to consolidate and simplify food hygiene legislation across all food sectors. These new regulations alter the requirements for the monitoring of the shellfish industry in Northern Ireland by the Food Standards Agency.
Results of biotoxin monitoring tests
Information relating to biotoxin testing within classified areas in Northern Ireland.
The maximum permitted levels of biotoxins in shellfish are as follows:
- PSP: 80 micrograms/100 grams
- ASP: 20 micrograms/grams
- DSP: DSP must not be present
The absence of information does not necessarily mean the area is free of biotoxins.
Shellfish processors are reminded that their products must comply with all the statutory requirements of the above regulations.
Latest results
Click here for the latest biotoxin monitoring results
Previous results
February 2008 biotoxin monitoring results
March 2008 biotoxin monitoring results
April 2008 biotoxin monitoring results
May 2008 biotoxin monitoring results
June 2008 biotoxin monitoring results
July 2008 biotoxin monitoring results
Phytoplankton monitoring
Water samples are collected from designated shellfish growing areas and analysed, by light microscopy, for various species of phytoplankton.
Alert Level Phytoplankton concentrations have been set as per the table below and harvesters should take the necessary precautions if wanting to harvest under alert conditions.
| Biotoxin | Phytoplankton | Alert |
|---|---|---|
| PSP | Alexandrium (Saxitoxin) |
Greater than 0 cells/litre of Alexandrium |
| DSP | Dinophysis (Okadaic Acid) |
Greater than or equal to 100 cells/litre of Dinophysis, and by historical data. |
| ASP | Pseudo-nitzschia (Domoic Acid) |
Greater than or equal to 150,000 cells/litre of Pseudo-nitzschia, and/or historical data |
Latest results
Click here for the latest water testing results
Previous results
February 2008 water testing results
March 2008 water testing results
April 2008 water testing results
May 2008 water testing results
June 2008 water testing results
July 2008 water testing results
Official controls - Monitoring of wild scallops harvested outside classified areas
Click here for the latest scallop testing results
Maps showing areas of Irish waters
ICES area VIa
ICES area VIIa
Previous scallop testing results
January 2008 scallop toxin results
February 2008 latest scallop toxin results
Should you require any further information regarding harvesting or the interpretation of results, please contact your local authority or the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland for advice.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) pre-screen method implementation for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
Changes to the statutory monitoring programme for marine biotoxins in Northern Ireland took affect from 6 May 2008. The changes concern the testing for PSP toxins in mussels only.
The Agency has approved the use of a chemical method, HPLC , as a quantitative assay for the testing of PSP toxins in mussels.
The results for the PSP test will continue to be reported as a single figure and in terms of micrograms STX eq/kg shellfish tissue, similarly to the MBA. Please note that the current statutory maximum permitted limit of 800 micrograms STX eq/kg (80µg/100g) shellfish tissue remains unaltered.
Where the result is less than 16µg/100g the result will be noted as
Find out more
Implications of the new food hygiene regulations for shellfish monitoring in Northern Ireland
The new Food Hygiene Regulations came into force on 11 January 2006, and are the result of an exercise by the European Commission to consolidate and simplify food hygiene legislation across all food sectors. These new regulations alter the requirements for the monitoring of the shellfish industry in Northern Ireland by the Food Standards Agency.