Code of Practice for the Irish Shellfish Monitoring Programme (Biotoxins). Version 8.

Abstract

Irish shellfish are a wholesome quality product and it is important that the shellfish industry is supported by a robust monitoring programme. This helps to ensure that consumers, both in Ireland and in other countries, can have confidence that the Irish shellfish they are purchasing is a safe product and that it meets the required legal health standards. The Irish Shellfish Monitoring Programme includes two monitoring elements that contribute to consumer safety. This Code of Practice has been developed to cover biotoxin and phytoplankton monitoring. A separate Code of Practice for the Microbiological Monitoring of Bivalve Mollusc Production Areas is available on the SFPA website (www.sfpa.ie/Seafood-Safety/Shellfish/Guidance-Documents). This Code of Practice has been developed by the Molluscan Shellfish Safety Committee (MSSC) through consultation with all stakeholders. It outlines how Ireland meets its obligations to protect consumers and comply with the requirements laid down in Irish and European legislation. The relevant food safety legislation is set out in Appendix 1. It is a legal principle of Irish and European Food Law that all food business operators (FBOs) bear the primary responsibility for the safety of any food placed on the market by them. Producers must ensure that harvesting only takes place in a production area when it is safe to do so.