Minutes of the Molluscan Shellfish Safety Committee - 17th of May 2016

• FSAI: David Lyons (Chair), Maria Meghen 
• SFPA: Brian Nolan, Aileen O’Sullivan
• MI: Joe Silke, Bill Doré, Conor Duffy
• BIM: Terence O’Carroll, Vicky Lyons
• Irish Water: Aine Murphy, Valerie Hannon
• ISA: Richie Flynn, John Harrington, Finian O’Sullivan
• Processing: Pat Mulloy
• Apologies: Paul Hickey (HSE), Jerry Gallagher (ISA), Donal O’Callaghan (SFPA), Liam O’Suilleabhán (EPA), Susan Steele (SFPA)

DL opened the meeting and welcomed the attendees. He thanked the SFPA for hosting this MSSC meeting.

1. Minutes of the last meeting, 16th of February 2016

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted with no changes. Update: The agreed minutes are now available on the FSAI MSSC web page.
DL reported that he had been in contact with the Dept of Environment and Local Government and was informed that primary legislation is required to for the Designation of Shellfish Waters. It is hoped that the necessary legislation will be in place before the end of this year. TOC noted that there has been a delay to the Water Quality Improvement Programme five year review which was due to commence in 2015.
There was a discussion on the definition of production period in the COP for Biotoxins. DL stated that the definition had been discussed and while he acknowledged the issues raised by industry, the current definition complies with the legislation. When the sampling frequency is weekly, the production period starts on a Sunday and any closures are effective from the beginning of the production period. JH queried the role of the MSSC when industry concerns on production period are not taken into account.

2. Standing Items

2a. Update on shellfish sample co-ordination

BN presented the SFPA report on sample co-ordination. He noted that 382 microbiological samples were collected in quarter one of 2016. He noted that the out of range results for January – May 2016 (#6) are lower than in the same period in 2015 (#7) and 2014 (#11). There is a year on year trend of lower out of range results. RF noted improved co-ooperation between industry and SFPOs.
BN has commenced the preparatory work on the Shellfish Classification for 2016-2017 and will circulate the proposals to SFPA ports and industry after consultation with the MI. The annual classification meeting will be held on the 28th June, 2016 in the SFPA Offices, Clonakilty (see item 4b) 

2b. Toxicity Report Summary

JS presented the toxicity report summary. He noted that there is no toxicity at present. JS noted that while there had been Pseudo-nitzschia spp. in phytoplankton samples and low levels of toxicity in the South West, it had not resulted in any closures. FOS noted that Azaspiracids were reported in low levels but there was only sporadic toxicity in shellfish. JS stated that the MI is establishing an MSc/PhD to look at a vector for toxicity as the relationship between Azadinium spp. in the water and toxicity in shellfish is not clear. 

3. Biotoxin Programme

3a. COP for Biotoxins

Update: The updated COP for Biotoxins (Vers 6) is now available.

4. Microbiology and Virology

4a. EU Survey on Norovirus – EFSA protocols

DOC reported on a recent EFSA meeting on the European baseline survey of norovirus in oysters, which he attended with S Keaveney (MI). The technical specification protocols have been published. Sampling will be carried out Nov – April, 2016 and 2017. BN explained that production areas were chosen at random, but with certain parameters such as that the production area should be expected to be active during the survey. 

FOS queried the impact of a future norovirus limit on the industry. RF noted that Ireland is the second largest producer of oysters so any new European control will have an important impact. He stressed the relatively small norovirus risk to consumers from oysters compared to all other norovirus sources. He queried how the work will be standardised across the EU and BD explained the work on standardisation that is in progress, including on training and performance testing across laboratories. RF queried if other MS are putting in the same effort as Ireland. BD explained that sampling is based on the number of production areas and dispatch centres and it is not in the interests of any MS to skew the results.

4b. Bivalve Classification and Microbiological Criteria, New Requirements

BN stated that during the bivalve classification this year, a parallel classification will be carried out, based on the new legislation. BD noted that the impact of the new legislation will not be extensive as Ireland was already using a harmonised approach although there will be an impact on the classification of some production areas. It was noted that the legislation allows for the possibility of disregarding an anomalous result under certain conditions. There was a discussion on the requirement in the legislation that a sample consists of 5 sampling units, each of a minimum size, for products placed on the market during their shelf-life. RF noted that the new legislation will be discussed at the ISA Conference on the 19th May and at the planned BIM/ISA oyster technical workshop in September/October.

5. Oyster Exports to the USA

BIM is assessing the feasibility of oyster exports to the USA. VL noted that other member states have been involved in an equivalency process that is showing progress. BN noted that the Irish Authorities had been involved in discussions but hadn’t progressed with the process as industry had shown no interest at the time. RF noted that while an additional market would be welcome, exports to the USA are difficult as there is an established local product and the market is very competitive. VL noted that an Irish product would be likely to attract a premium price and producers would be supported.

DL explained that the USA system is based on microbiological water sampling rather than sampling of shellfish. Production areas approved for export to the USA would require equivalent water sampling and this would require an extra layer of sampling and analysis. BD noted that the additional requirements for production areas from which LBMs are harvested for export to the USA are included in Annex 2 of the ‘Community Guide to the Principles of Good Practice for Microbiological Classification and Monitoring’. He noted sanitary surveys and buffer zones would be required. (Update: EU DG Santé report of an audit in the United States to evaluate the control system for BM and FP)
Action: Oyster producers to contact BIM if interested in exporting to the USA

6. New Toxin in European Molluscs - Tetrodotoxin

New Dutch emergency measures to sample shellfish for Tetrodotoxin(TTX) were discussed. DOC explained recent discussions at an EU Level and noted that the Commission is not in favour of the current Dutch action. It was agreed that the results of recent studies on the presence TTX are of concern. A lack of information on the presence of TTX in molluscan shellfish, absence of a risk assessment, absence of a legal limit, poor access to toxin reference material and the need for an established method of analysis are all limiters on the action that can be taken in the short term. Industry reported that Dutch importers have said to their Irish suppliers that they may look for TTX free guarantees for imported products. (Update: Dutch issued a new Policy Guideline (TRIS: 2016/277/NL) which limits the emergency measure sampling to Dutch production areas). 

7. AOB

7a. Schedule of MSSC Meetings for the remainder of 2016

All the meetings are on Tuesdays and start at 11am.

* Note the locations have swopped from the original schedule

Last reviewed: 12/9/2016