NAFC subcontracted to sample Shetland mussels – Fishupdate.com

NAFC subcontracted to sample Shetland mussels Published:  27 February, 2007

THE Food Standards Agency is introducing nation-wide changes to the Official Control Sampling of live bivalve molluscs from classified harvesting production areas.

From the first of April 07, the samples which are currently collected by farmers will have to be collected by Environmental Health Officers or Sampling Officers.

In Shetland the NAFC Marine Centre has been subcontracted by the Environmental Health department of the SIC to carry out this Official Control Sampling for two years.

Regular weekly samples of live mussels and water will be collected at designated sampling points around Shetland and transported for analysis at the recognised testing laboratories.

The work will involve close co-operation with the shellfish farming industry and NAFC welcomes the closer relationships with industry that this will bring. Staff at NAFC are pleased to get this opportunity to enhance existing links with the SIC Environmental Health department and the Food Standards Agency.

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