§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there is scientific evidence to suggest that the presence of amnesic shellfish poisoning toxins in scallops represent a threat to human health; what scientific investigations have been carried out by the Government in relation to the impact of ASP on human health; and what scientific evidence was used to determine this level. [89453]
§ Ms BlearsThe most recent significant outbreak of amnesic shellfish poisoning affecting humans was recorded in Canada in 1987. Approximately 150 people became ill; there were 19 people hospitalised and four deaths. Following the outbreak, the Canadian authorities imposed an action limit in mussels of 20mg/kg domoic acid per gram of tissue, above which harvesting was suspended. This was based on observations of those who became ill, including estimates of levels of toxins actually ingested.
The European Union adopted this action limit for mussels and other bivalve molluscs including scallops in 1997 (Directive 97/61/EC). The Food Standards Agency has recently written to the European Commission asking them to consider the case for a scientific review of the current internationally accepted action level of 20 mg/kg in scallops, and how such a review may be taken forward.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the level of amnesic shellfish poisoning may vary from scallop to scallop; and on what basis the whole Irish Sea scallop fishery is closed when one particular scallop is detected with levels of AMP above that of the safety level. [89454]
§ Ms BlearsI am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the level of domoic acid, which causes amnesic shellfish poisoning, may vary from scallop to scallop. Closures of scallop fisheries are not based on the analysis performed on one scallop, but an homogenate sample of a number of scallops.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health on what scientific evidence the decision was taken to impose the safety level of 20mg/kg of amnesic shellfish poisoning in scallops caught in UK waters; on which dates the Irish Sea scallop fishery was closed and reopened in each of the last five years; and what estimate she has made of the length of time that the Irish Sea scallop fishery would have been closed in each of the last five years had there been a safety limit of 4.6mg/kg for amnesic shellfish poisoning in place. [89455]
§ Ms BlearsFollowing an outbreak of amnesic shellfish poisoning in mussels in Canada in 1987, where approximately 150 people became ill, resulting in four deaths, the Canadian authorities imposed an action limit in mussels of 20mg/kg domoic acid per gram of tissue, above which harvesting was suspended.
The EU adopted this action limit for mussels and other bivalve molluscs including scallops in 1997 (Directive 97/61/EC). This was implemented in Northern Ireland by the Food Safety (Fishery Products and Live Shellfish) (Hygiene) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern 672W Ireland) 1999. The Irish Sea scallop fishery was closed from September 1999 to February 2000, and part closed from November to December 2002. The new level of 4.6 mg/kg forms part of a Commission Decision which member states have the option to implement. No final decisions have been made as to whether the United Kingdom will adopt this Decision. Full regulatory impact assessments will be prepared before any such decision is taken.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is with regard to the introduction of a 4.6mg/kg safety limit for amnesic shellfish poisoning toxins; and what estimate he has made of the likely effect upon the UK scallop fishery industry. [89456]
§ Ms BlearsCouncil Directive 91/492/EEC currently provides for production areas to be closed when amnesic shellfish poisoning toxin levels exceed 20mg/kg in whole scallops (or any part edible separately). The new level of 4.6 mg/kg forms part of a Commission Decision which member states have the option to implement. No final decisions have been made as to whether the United Kingdom will adopt this Decision. Full regulatory impact assessments will be prepared before any such decision is taken.