22 October 2014 / Reference: / Update:19
FSH/0010

To all interested parties:

Updated Classifications of the Bivalve Mollusc Production Areas in England and Wales for 2014-15

The Food Standards Agency wishes to notify you of the following update to the classifications of bivalve production areas:

New classification – 2014

Portsmouth Harbour – PaulsgrovePortchester – B020J

Monitoring of Tapes species commenced at the RMP (Paulsgrove, B020J) in January 2014. To date, 10 samples have been received showing 100% compliance with the class C threshold (70% compliance with the class B threshold – 5400 recorded on 11/02/2014, 17,000 recorded on 11/03/2014 and 13,000 recorded on 09/07/2014). Therefore, this bed is now classified as Class C

Reclassifications – 2014

Portsmouth PHA has requested the reclassification of the native oyster beds in Portsmouth and Langstone Harbour, in preparation for the native oyster open season which will starts on the 1st of November 2014. The season will last for 2 weeks.

Portsmouth Harbour – East Harbour – B020L

Portsmouth Harbour – West Harbour – B020E

Quarterly sampling has been maintained at both RMPs since November 2013. There have been no results exceeding the class B threshold in that time (7 samples from Post 50, B020E and 6 from Portchester and Tipner, B020L). Monthly sampling was re-instigated in September 2014. Therefore, both of these beds are reclassified at the previous level of B-LT.

Langstone Harbour – Salterns – B019O

Quarterly sampling has been maintained since November 2013. There have been no results exceeding the class B threshold in the last year (5 samples from Salterns, B019O and the previous RMP Salterns/Broom Channel, B019C). Monthly sampling was re-instigated in September 2014. Therefore, this bed is reclassified at the previous level of B-LT.

Langstone Harbour – Broom Channel – B019N

Quarterly sampling has been maintained since November 2013. There have been no results exceeding the class B threshold in that the last year (5 samples from Kendalls Wharf/Broom Channel, B019N and the previous RMP North End/Broom Channel, B019B). Monthly sampling was re-instigated in October 2014. Therefore, this bed is reclassified at the previous level of B-LT.

Reclassification and downgrade - 2014

Langstone Harbour – Langstone Channel – B019L

Quarterly sampling has been maintained since December 2013, monthly sampling was re-instigated in September 2014. In the last year 7 samples have been collected from the RMP (Langstone Channel, B019L). There have been 3 results exceeding the class B threshold (17,000 recorded on 17/12/2014, 9,200 recorded on 10/02/2014 and 240,000 recorded on 07/10/2014). Investigation outcomes did not provide justification for waiving any of these results. The previous RMP for this zone (North End/Main Channel, B019A) last recorded a prohibited level result on 06/10/2008 (54,000). The 3 year compliance for this site is 84.6%. Due to the 3 results exceeding the class B threshold and the magnitude of the most recent result, this site is reclassified at the lower level of class C (previously class B).

Langstone Harbour – Sinah Lake – B019M

Quarterly sampling has been maintained since November 2013 and monthly sampling was re-instigated in October 2014. Four samples have been collected from the RMP (Sinah, B019M and the previous RMP Sinah Lake, B019D) in the last year. The most recent sample collected on 07/10/2014 from B019M returned a prohibited level result (1,600,000). The investigation outcome did not provide justification for waiving this result. The previous RMP for this zone (B019M) last recorded a prohibited level result on 04/03/2009). The 5 year compliance for this site is 88.7%. Due to the magnitude of the most recent result, this site is reclassified at the lower level of class C (previously class B-LT).

Declassification - 2014

Ribble – Lytham West & George’s Brow – B046R & B046Q

The LA has requested that the Lytham East and George’s Brow cockle beds be declassified due to low stocks. Quarterly monitoring has been agreed at the RMPs (Lytham West, B046R & Lytham East, B046Q). These beds have been added to the declassified list with a note 2.

Bigbury and Avon – All beds – B030A, B030B & B030D

The LA has requested that all Pacific oyster beds in this production area be declassified due to insufficient commercial interest. No further samples will be taken from these sites unless commercial interest returns. These beds have been added to the declassified list with a note 7.

DESIGNATED BIVALVE MOLLUSC PRODUCTION AREAS IN ENGLAND AND WALES

New & Reclassifications 2014

Production
Area / Bed Name / Species / Class / Comment / Food Authority
Portsmouth Harbour / PaulsgrovePortchester / Tapes spp. / C / Portsmouth PHA
Portsmouth Harbour / East Harbour / O. edulis / B-LT / Portsmouth PHA
Portsmouth Harbour / West Harbour / O. edulis / B-LT / Portsmouth PHA
Langstone Harbour / Langstone Channel / O. edulis / C / Portsmouth PHA
Langstone Harbour / Sinah Lake / O. edulis / C / Portsmouth PHA
Langstone Harbour / Salterns / O. edulis / B-LT / Portsmouth PHA
Langstone Harbour / Broom Channel / O. edulis / B-LT / Portsmouth PHA

Declassifications 2014

Production
Area / Bed Name / Species / Class / Comment / Food Authority
Ribble / Lytham West / C. edule / C / 2 / Fylde BC
Ribble / George’s Brow / C. edule / C / 2 / Fylde BC
Bigbury and Avon / West Bank / C. gigas / C / 7 / South Hams DC
Bigbury and Avon / East Bank / C. gigas / C / 7 / South Hams DC
Bigbury and Avon / South Hexdown / C. gigas / B
(1st Feb to 31st July) / 7 / South Hams DC

These amendments have been made under Regulation (EC) 854/2004 and take immediate effect.

If you require further information or wish to discuss these amendmentsfurther please contact or by phone 0207 276 8167.

Yours sincerely

Emily Davis

Local Delivery Division

Aviation House

125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH

Tel: 0207 276 8167,

Email :