The Marine Biotoxin Unit of the Chemical Surveillance Branch at AFBI-Stormont undertakes biotoxin monitoring of classified shellfish beds on behalf of Food Standards Agency (FSA) Northern Ireland. In April 2008, AFBI was awarded the contract to provide UK marine biotoxin National Reference Laboratory (NRL) services to the FSA. The purpose of these pages are to provide information on the role of AFBI as NRL.
Background
Filter-feeding bivalve molluscs, e.g. mussels and scallops, can accumulate naturally occurring biotoxins produced by certain marine algae. European Union (EU) Regulations stipulate that bivalve molluscs for human consumption are regularly monitored for biotoxins and lay down the maximum permitted levels of these toxins in shellfish placed on the market. The competent authority within the United Kingdom responsible for the implementation of these Regulations is the FSA.
Monitoring is currently restricted to three biotoxin groups:
- Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)
- Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP)
- Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP)
In addition, production and relaying areas for bivalve molluscs must also be periodically monitored to check for the presence of potentially toxin-producing plankton.
The competent authority is responsible for designating a NRL which co-ordinates the activities of other national testing laboratories and represents the views of the Member State laboratories at the European level. Information on the designation and responsibilities of reference laboratories is contained within
Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 (PDF 226 KB).
