26 February 2015 / Reference: / Update:2
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 - 2015

Chichester Harbour – Prinstead – B018O

Following an application for the classification of cockles and Tapes species in a zone defined as Prinstead in the 2013 sanitary survey report, ten samples have been collected from the RMP (B018O, Hambrook – C. edule) with two exceeding the upper limit for class B (7,900 recorded on 10/07/2014 & 4,900 recorded on 10/02/2015). In accordance with the protocol, this zone now has provisional classification at the class C (note 1) level for both C. edule and Tapes species.

Porlock – Porlock – B094A

Following an application for a new bed in this production area, monitoring of the RMP (B094A, Porlock Beach – C. gigas) commenced in September 2014. To date 10 sample results have been received showing 100% compliance with the class A limit (230). Therefore, this zone now has provisional classification at the class A (note 1) level.

Porlock – Porlock – B094B

Following an application for a new bed in this production area, monitoring of the RMP (B094B, Porlock Beach – Mytilus spp.) commenced in September 2014. To date 10 sample results have been received showing 100% compliance with the class B limit (4600). Therefore, this zone now has provisional classification at the class B (note 1) level.

Upgrade - 2015

Crouch – Brandy Hole – B015T

Following assessment of 2 years data from the RMP (B015T, Brandy Hole – C. gigas), the Brandy Hole zone is upgraded to seasonal class B (previously year-round class C). March and April are designated as the in-situ relay period.

The class B season may commence on 1st of May to the 31st of August in any given year. The zone will revert to class C at all other times.

Prohibition – 2015

Roach – Inner Roach – B73AB

The RMP for this zone (B73AB, Barton Hall – Mytilus spp) has recorded two prohibited level results (>46,000) in a single rolling review year (54,000 recorded on 12/02/2014 & 92,000 recorded on 05/01/2015). The action state investigations carried out could not ascertain any reason why the results could be waived. The LA has indicated that they will continue sampling in order to have the zone upgraded in the future. According to the protocol, the Inner Roach zone is now prohibited for all classified species (M. mercenaria, O. edulis, C. gigas, Mytilus spp).

Declassification - 2015

Crouch – Outer Crouch – B15AB

The harvester and LA have highlighted that there is currently no commercial interest in Mytilus species in this zone. Quarterly monitoring has been agreed for the RMP (B15AB, Outer Crouch – Mytilus spp). This zone is therefore declassified (note 2).

DESIGNATED BIVALVE MOLLUSC PRODUCTION AREAS IN ENGLAND AND WALES

New classification 2015

Production
Area / Zone Name / Species / Class / Comment / Food Authority
Chichester Harbour / Prinstead / C. edule Tapes spp / C / 1 / Chichester DC
Porlock / Porlock / C. gigas / A / 1 / West Somerset Council
Porlock / Porlock / Mytilus spp / B / 1 / West Somerset Council

Upgrade 2015

Production
Area / Zone Name / Species / Class / Comment / Food Authority
Crouch / Brandy Hole / C. gigas / B / 1st May to 31st August (reverting to class C at all other times) / Rochford DC

Prohibition 2015

Production
Area / Zone Name / Species / Class / Comment / Food Authority
Roach / Inner Roach / All species
(M. mercenaria, O. edulis,
C.gigas, Mytilus spp). / Prohibited / London PHA

Declassifications 2015

Production
Area / Zone Name / Species / Class / Comment / Food Authority
Crouch / Outer Crouch / Mytilus spp / Declassified / 2 / Maldon 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 amendments further 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: