Location: Online
Attendees:
- FSAI: David Lyons, Una Walton
- SFPA: Niall O'Rahelly, Susan Coughlan, Aileen O’Sullivan, Marc Shorten, Emma McLoughney
- MI: Bill Dore, Dave Clarke, Conor Duffy, Sinead Keaveney, Felix Sproll, Patrick Costello
- IFA: Teresa Morrissey
- BIM: Gary McCoy
- EPA: Liam Ó Súilleabháin
Industry:
- Pat Mulloy, Patrick Murphy, Kian Louet-Feisser
Uisce Éireann:
- Sarah Casey, Tomas Cawley
Apologies:
- Vicky Lyons, Ronan Kane, Ciaran McGonigle, Finian O’Sullivan, Sarah Buckley, Tristan Hugh-Jones
1. Minutes and matters arising from the last meeting (17.08.2024)
Item 1: Rainfall Criteria
DL (FSAI) provided a verbal update on the legislative options for defining and managing extreme rainfall events:
- If rainfall exceeds the five-year return threshold, it may be considered excessive.
- A result more than three standard deviations from the long-term average for an area can be deemed unrepresentative. However, this removes both exceptionally high and exceptionally low results.
Key points raised:
- FSAI views the five-year return threshold as the primary (and most robust) option, given the availability of reliable rainfall data.
- Under the three standard deviations approach, approximately 99.5% of all data points remain, so very few results are excluded - whether high or low.
- BD (MI) noted the three standard deviations approach is used in the UK, but it relies on the full dataset and still excludes only rare outliers.
- MS (SFPA) cautioned that moving away from the five-year threshold could create unintended consequences, including the loss of results needed for certain seasonal or good classifications.
- DL stressed that frequent changes in methodology (e.g. switching from one system to another) risk confusion and inconsistent classifications, especially in the lead-up to audits.
The meeting agreed that any significant deviation from the established five-year rainfall approach requires a strong evidence-based rationale.
Action: DL will circulate a written summary of this discussion, outlining FSAI/MI/SFPA positions and detailing potential impacts of alternative methods. Any shift away from the existing system would need broad consensus and clear justification.
UPDATE: Written document shared on 20.05.2025
PM (Industry) asked about involving the IFA to investigate potential upstream causes of anomalies. It was agreed that understanding catchment issues can be valuable but noted that identifying a cause does not automatically justify excluding data.
Item 2: Making a Complaint to EPA
GMcC (BIM) asked how well the EPA’s “See It, Say It” app is working for triaging environmental complaints to the relevant competent authorities.
LÓS (EPA) explained that “See It, Say It” has been in use for several years and is aimed at the general public who need to file an on-the-spot complaint (e.g. observing a pollution event). However, the EPA’s preferred channel for complaints is via the web form on the EPA website, which is designed to capture the key details needed for follow-up.
Item 3: Norovirus Data Sharing
KLF (Industry) acknowledged potential commercial sensitivities around sharing norovirus data but believes openness can drive improvements in water quality over time. Other producers may be more cautious, given potential commercial implications.
GMcC noted an upcoming Oyster Packers Group (OYPG) meeting in April, where collective data sharing on norovirus is likely to be addressed. DL (FSAI) confirmed plans to revisit the FSAI’s Norovirus Advice webpage to incorporate recent learnings.
DL advised as usual; the minutes will be published on the website, any amendments should be forwarded to UW (FSAI) within the coming week.
2. Standing Items
a. Update on Shellfish Monitoring Coordination (SFPA)
MS (SFPA) provided an update on the sampling activity to end of Q4 of 2025 (refer to documents attached).
- Sampling Activity: SFPOs collected 1616 microbiological samples in 2024 to the end of Quarter 4 (December 31st) as part of the Microbiological Monitoring of Bivalve Mollusc Production Areas.
- Out-of-Range Results: To the end of Quarter 4 of 2024, there were 67 (4.1%) samples collected which gave out-of-range results.
- Annex B: A summary of the out-of-range or elevated results for January to Dec 2024 is provided in Annex B.
Out of Range Results
This year’s average for out-of-range shellsan results as a percentage of the total number of samples analysed (4.1%) is comparable to the percentage in the previous three years (2021 to 2023 inclusive). The average out of range percentage for 2021 to 2023 years was 3.5%.
| Year | Number of Elevated Results Reported | Sampled Total | Elevated Results as % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2021 |
52 |
1531 |
3.40% |
|
2022 |
60 |
1571 |
3.82% |
|
2023 |
52 |
1585 |
3.28% |
|
2024 |
67 |
1616 |
4.1% |
Sanitary Surveys
NO’R (SFPA) confirmed a new service provider, Aqua Licence, has been contracted to conduct five sanitary surveys per year (replacing Aquafact). Since the last MSSC, there have been two recent surveys and published on the SFPA website.
Lab Services Update
Following the withdrawal of ALS at the end of 2023, microbiological analyses are now split among the MI, CLS (Galway), and Southern Scientific (Kerry), depending on the production area.
Code of Practice (CoP) Review
MS outlined ongoing updates focusing on:
- Exclusion criteria (e.g. clarifying when results may be discounted)
- Short-Term classification
- Overall structure & flow to streamline guidance
TM queried if the CoP updates would be completed before the next classification. MS indicated that 2024 annual classifications will proceed using the existing CoP criteria. A draft CoP is targeted for Q3, following completion of the 2024 annual classification review. Once the draft is ready, it will be circulated among relevant stakeholders for feedback.
b. Toxicity Summary Report including Production Area Closures (MI)
PC (MI) reported no shellfish site closures due to biotoxin events since the last meeting in November.
- Data from 2024 shows zero instances exceeding regulatory limits, continuing a positive trend observed over the past five to six years.
- The MI received over 2,000 shellfish samples for toxin analysis in 2024, testing around 30,000 toxin analogues. The only elevated results noted were related to ASP toxins in scallops.
Sample Delivery & December Contingency
TM (IFA) highlighted recurring issues with on-post sample delivery during December, when postal services face heavy seasonal demand. Missing or delayed samples can cause confusion for both producers and labs, especially before the MI’s year-end closure.
MS (SFPA) explained that on post remains the primary option, as it offers an early morning PO box collection, essential for timely lab processing. Other courier services do not currently provide that option.
In terms of contingency planning, the following points were noted:
- AOS (SFPA) suggested reviewing last year’s December data to quantify impacts and assess whether a formal protocol is needed for when samples go missing.
- DL (FSAI) proposed starting planning in November, adjusting sampling frequencies or schedules to absorb possible postal delays.
- PM (Industry) noted that if a sample is lost, SFPA usually responds quickly by requesting a second sample; though inconvenient, this addresses the immediate data gap.
Action: SFPA to meet and discuss possible solutions or contingency measures for December’s peak postal season, ensuring timely biotoxin sample processing.
UPDATE: SFPA provided an update at the MSSC on the 21.05.2025.
3. Microbiology and Virology
SK (MI) shared early data (October–February) from the Irish Oyster Packers Group sampling program. Norovirus levels this winter do not appear significantly higher than last winter, indicating a “normal winter profile.”
A more detailed assessment of the 2024–2025 winter season will follow once sampling is complete. Preliminary results suggest no marked deviations from previous seasonal trends.
4. AOB:
Existing Fisheries & Classification
TM & PM asked about classifying a pre-existing fishery under protocols administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM).
- MS explained that the SFPA can only apply classification once the fishery is recognised under the Bivalve Mollusc Protocol, which typically requires a fishery management plan first.
- Industry stakeholders are encouraged to address outstanding issues directly with DAFM, as SFPA’s role in classifying production areas can only proceed after DAFM has confirmed fishery status.
- GMcC noted that BIM is engaging with officers in the Southeast region regarding the protocol, and ongoing discussions aim to clarify requirements for the fishery’s recognition under DAFM.
Industry Event
TM (IFA) announced the annual IFA Aquaculture Conference set for 20th March 2025 at Kilmurry Lodge, Limerick. Interested parties can register on the industry website.
FSAI CEO Update
DL informed attendees of the new FSAI Chief Executive Officer, Greg Dempsey, who joined from the Department of Health. His background in food safety governance brings a fresh perspective to the agency.
Water Quality Sessions
GMcC advised that BIM is working to facilitate water-quality initiatives through the Clams group. Three successful sessions were held in 2024, and additional sessions are planned for this year. The next session is tentatively scheduled for the last two weeks in May, in collaboration with the regional officer. A thank-you was extended to everyone who has contributed so far, and GMcC will circulate more details in due course.