1. Introduction
1.1 Regulation 2017/625 lays down the official control (OC) requirements for FSS as the competent authority (CA) concerning Live Bivalve Molluscs (LBMs). These controls include the classification, monitoring and enforcement of safety standards within authorised LBM production and relaying areas.
1.2 As CA, if FSS receives an application to harvest and decides to classify a production or relay area, it must first establish the location, fix boundaries of the area to be classified, assess the area for likely sources of contamination and identify a representative monitoring point (RMP). This is initially achieved by undertaking a provisional representative monitoring point (pRMP) assessment, which establishes a representative monitoring point (RMP) for the purpose of gathering indicative data on the hygiene status of the fishery. A full sanitary survey of the harvesting area is carried out at a later date. (See section 4.0)
1.3 The faecal coliform indicating bacteria ‘E. coli’ is used to establish the degree of contamination within areas where shellfish are harvested.
1.4 Classifications are awarded by FSS according to the degree of contamination in samples of LBM flesh, following a pre-determined sample plan. The given classification of a production also determines the treatment required before the LBMs may be placed on the market. (See Table 1).
1.5 The types of classifications initially available to harvesters are shown in section 5.0, providing information on attaining provisional, standard and part-year classification. Further information on the types of classifications awarded during the annual classification review for more established areas can be seen in section 8.0.
1.6: Table 1 – Shellfish classification categories and permitted levels of E. coli/100g flesh.
| Category | Classification | Action |
|---|---|---|
| A | 80 % of samples collected during the review period ≤ 230 E. coli/100 g of flesh and intravalvular liquid. The remaining 20% of samples ≤ 700 E. coli/100 g of flesh and intravalvular liquid. | May go directly for human consumption if end product standard is met. |
| B | 90 % of samples collected during review period ≤ 4 600 E. coli/100 g of flesh and intravalvular liquid. The remaining 10% of samples ≤ 46 000 E. coli/100 g of flesh and intravalvular liquid. | Must be subject to purification, relaying in class A area (to meet category A requirements) or cooked by an approved method. |
| C | Samples ≤ 46,000 E coli/100g of flesh and intravalvular liquid. | Must be subject to relaying for a period of at least 2 months or cooked by an approved method. |
| X | Any value exceeding 46000 E. coli /100g of flesh and intravalvular liquid. | Prohibited. Harvesting not permitted. |
1.7 The key purpose of classification sampling is to identify when there may be risks to water quality that could impact on shellfish safety, and a robust sample set is essential in enabling FSS to assess this.