§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the areas around the United Kingdom where the Government have advised restrictions or prohibitions of the catch of fish or shellfish, including issuing advice against consumption.
§ Mr. JackFor the protection of public health, shellfish growing areas are classified under EU legislation according to levels of microbiological contamination. There are 12 areas under the coast of England and Wales from which harvesting is currently prohibited; the Truro river is one of them.
A full classification list for England and Wales is in the Library of the House. One area in Scotland, the Eden estuary near St. Andrews, cannot be harvested. There are no prohibited areas in Northern Ireland.
Advice against consumption, where necessary, would be a matter for the Government's chief medical officer. Local Food authorities have powers under the Food Safety Act 1990 to take immediate action should any local problem be identified.