Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-09757.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-9757.

The Food Standards Agency has advised me that algal blooms are natural, cyclic phenomena, and are believed to be influenced by a number of factors including environment, light, temperature, chemical nutrients and the abundance of herbivorous animals and fish grazing on the algae. Research into this issue is currently taking place and the Food Standards Agency has announced that nearly £1 million will be spent on algal toxins, including their causes, over the next three years. Given the nature of the phyto plankton community, the possibility of developing deterrent measures seems unlikely at present. However, it is anticipated that this research may assist in helping predict the likely severity and duration of amnesic shellfish poisoning incidents.

The Food Standards Agency ensures that all information relating to the incidence of high levels of algal toxins is conveyed accurately and rapidly to the relevant parties. Food and Environment Protection Act Orders (closures and revocations) are completed as quickly as possible. Meetings with officials and visits to the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, have been arranged for industry representatives, and a comparative test between products from a commercial processor and the Marine Laboratory has been carried out to allow consideration of claims from industry that toxicity may be reduced by processing.

The Food Standards Agency has advised me that amnesic shellfish poisoning is caused by phytoplanktonic algae creating blooms which are fed upon by bivalve molluscs such as scallops. The growth of these causative organisms is cyclic, therefore the poisoning also tends to be cyclical. However, given the relatively short period over which monitoring for ASP has been carried out, there is insufficient evidence from which to derive specific seasonal trends in the occurrence of amnesic shellfish poisoning.

The Food Standards Agency aim to place a Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) Order as quickly as possible to ensure public safety. To help minimise delay, a draft Order is prepared by the Scottish Executive Solicitor's Office Legal Service while ministerial clearance for the Order is sought. Communications between parties involved in the making of FEPA Orders has been improved through more efficient use of email and fax, though ways of making further improvements continue to be investigated. Some improvements have also been possible with regard to the statutory process, which help avoid the potential problems of FEPA Orders expiring during parliamentary recess.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) inform fisheries organisations and other interested parties when a Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) Order is being drafted by the Scottish Executive, following results above the statutory limit for algal toxins. This provides advanced warning of impending closures ahead of the Orders coming into force. Industry officials then communicate this information to fishermen at sea. The FSA has expanded the list of organisations and individuals to whom this information is communicated directly, but industry has also been asked to make suggestions on how communication links might be improved. Updates are also available via the agency's telephone hotline and website.

FRS Marine Laboratory Aberdeen cannot oversee the analysis being done by commercial companies. The Food Standards Agency contract out the statutory monitoring analysis and any laboratory may tender. All National Reference Laboratories, including FRS Marine Laboratory Aberdeen (the UK National Reference Laboratory), participate in comparative analysis trials.

The Food Standards Agency has advised me that toxins accumulate to differing levels in the different edible parts of the scallop. Proportionate toxin levels in the gonad are likely to be considerably greater than in the white meat. Testing an amalgam of white meat and gonad mashed together will therefore lead to a lower result than the current gonad only test. As it is possible to consume only the gonad, it is the result of the gonad test which must be used to ensure the protection of public health.

Samples collected as part of the routine monitoring programme are sent to the FRS Marine Laboratory Aberdeen (FRS MLA) by first class post in containers provided for the purpose. Samples arrive within two days of posting. Samples are collected by chartered fishing vessels over fairly large areas. Samples may be caught and kept aboard the boat for 2-3 days before being landed. Once landed, they are immediately collected by FRS MLA staff and transported to Aberdeen. Testing is generally initiated on the day MLA receive the sample.