Chamber and committees

The gonads from 10-12 scallops are used to provide a sample for analysis for algal toxins, never a single gonad. Even after spawning there is sufficient material present from 10-12 scallops to permit analysis.

The number of people involved in amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) testing varies depending on the source and origin of the samples. Collection involves sea-going staff and cultivation site owners. Transportation may be by air, boat and or road. Scientific staff undertake preparation, analysis and verification of sample results.

There is insufficient scientific data to specify whether the severity of winter conditions has any effect on the incidence of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). The growth of the causative organisms is cyclic, reflecting the spring and autumn planktonic blooms which in turn are caused by fluctuations in temperature, light and nutrients.

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.

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.

Samples of all bivalve molluscs harvested for human consumption are tested for the presence of toxins. The molluscs tested include: mussels, oysters, scallops, queens, razor fish and cockles.

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.

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

In an attempt to provide a representative sample, 10-12 gonads from different scallops are amalgamated.