§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many shellfish beds have been recommended for closure since 2001, due to the monitoring of toxins in shellfish producing atypical results; and if she will make a statement. [163235]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonI have been asked to reply.
I am advised by the Food Standards Agency, that since April 2001, of the 395 classified shellfish beds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, some 60 beds have, at various times, had temporary restrictions in place due to shellfish samples producing atypical positive results for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins.