7. Annual classification review process
7.1 Classified shellfish production areas are monitored by FSS to ensure the classification awarded to each site is compliant with the legislative criteria and protective of public health.
7.2 Classifications are awarded based on the OC data received for each species-specific production area, applying the requirements set down in (EC) 2017/625. Details of the requirements can be found in Table 1.
7.3 In December each year, FSS begins the process of reviewing all classified shellfish production areas around Scotland. The available dataset from each production area is analysed and a classification status is awarded for the upcoming classification year. The data set considered in this process will comprise of between 1 and 3 years of data, depending on how long the area has been classified and whether water quality in the area has improved or declined in the last 12 months. If the water quality has declined or improved in the last 12 months, this data will be prioritised when awarding the classification for the following year.
7.4 Any area with a sample result of >46000 within its dataset will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be considered for a part year classification if the prohibited level sample results are confined to a particular part of the year.
7.5 Provisional classification awards are not eligible for review in the annual review process. These areas will maintain their provisional classification status until sufficient sample numbers have been submitted to allow a standard classification to be awarded. At that point, the area will be eligible for review.
7.6 OC microbiological results and shellfish classifications are also monitored on an on-going basis throughout the year. Any exceptional or high results will be acted upon in accordance with the FSS protocol for dealing with ‘out-with’ results (sample results above the production area’s given classification).
7.7 A production area’s classification status may be revised or prohibited at any point in year, depending on the outcome of ‘out-with’ investigations.
7.8 To maintain a standard classification, 12 monthly samples should be submitted. To account for the possibility of samples being missed for reasons that were out-with the harvester's control, such as transport delays, ‘A’ classification can be maintained with the submission of 10 samples – depending on the sample results. However, every endeavour should be made to provide 12 samples to maintain a robust assessment of the microbiological risk of an area.
7.9 ‘B’ and/or ‘C’ classification can be maintained with the submission of a minimum of 8 samples. Again, every endeavour should be made to provide 12 samples to maintain a robust assessment of the microbiological risk of the area.
7.10 On completion of the production area classification review, FSS will publish the draft classification decisions via SMC, during March for the upcoming classification year. At this point, harvesters can appeal the given classification (See section 10). The final classification decision will be published in line with the classification year, which runs from 1st April until 31st March the following year.
7.11 Inability to meet the minimum sample requirement stated within the classification protocol will result in no classification being awarded, the production area being awarded a dormant status or even de-classification by FSS. See sections 9.2 and 9.4 for more details.