FSA Northern Ireland – Surveillance Work
The Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland (FSA NI) does not engage directly in commissioning research. Where possible FSA NI seeks to ensure that Northern Ireland issues are addressed in the context of the Food Standards Agency's UK-wide research and surveillance programme. In practical terms FSA NI concentrates on funding surveillance activity on a range of issues within Northern Ireland.
FSA NI receives its funding from the NI Assembly and, from this, currently directs some £95k each year to shellfish monitoring. It also provides funding on an ad hoc basis to other surveillance activity within Northern Ireland.
Shellfish Monitoring Programme
FSA NI is responsible for the monitoring programmes in support of the EC Shellfish Directive 91/492/EEC and has put the following activities in place in relation to monitoring the safety of shellfish:
- There is a monitoring programme for E. coli in shellfish for the classification of harvesting sites – this uses E. coli as an indicator of faecal contamination in shellfish from NI harvesting sites.
- A further programme monitors levels of algal toxins (DSP, PSP and ASP) that have been detected in shellfish from NI and which are of particular importance to consumers. Monitoring for these toxins is a statutory requirement of both EU and NI legislation. All classified shellfish beds in NI waters are monitored and a specific monitoring programme is in place for wild scallops covering sea areas ICES VI A and VII A.
- There is monitoring of toxin-producing phytoplankton species in NI coastal waters, specifically Alexandrium spp., Dinophysis spp. and Pseudonitzschia spp.; and of chemical contaminants in shellfish such as PAH, heavy metals, organochlorides, pesticides and radionuclides.
Surveillance programmes
FSA NI also funds non-statutory surveillance work and additional sampling in NI within the Agency's UK-wide surveys. For example, FSA NI has provided funding for the FSA's UK study on the microbiological examination of food from fast food outlets and sandwich bars.
Future activity
FSA NI's priorities for 2002-2003 are still being assessed, and new work may be commissioned depending on funding availability. One exercise planned for completion by the end of 2002 is an evaluation of the Butcher Licensing Scheme.
Further Information:
Tom Robinson, Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland
(Tel 028 9041 7718; Email: tom.robinson@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk)