Food Law News - UK - 2000


FSA Scotland Press Release, 24 August 2000

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Ban in South Ronaldsay and North of Scotland

A ban on fishing for scallops in waters off South Ronaldsay and off the North of Scotland in the Caithness area due to a build-up of naturally occurring Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins was announced today by the Food Standards Agency Scotland. The action is based on test results from the Government's sampling programme which showed that the PSP toxin has reached a level at which there is a risk to consumers. Scallops is the only species affected by this ban. No other commercially marketed shellfish are affected by today's action.

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) is caused by naturally occurring algal blooms which can extend over considerable areas. Under the Order signed by Scottish Health Minister Susan Deacon today, the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) Orkney No.4 (Scotland) Order 2000, the taking of scallops, from the specified area is prohibited from 1730 hours today.


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