The pilot will use a web-based system developed by AM Seafoods Ltd that employs a map to display designated fishing boxes, with the accompanying bio-toxin results in traffic light colours according to status.

It is hoped that the pilot will generate awareness of the project and become the starting block for a UK-wide scheme for the entire scallop sector.

"The hygiene regulations require that all food business operators meet specified standards, through a system of own checks to ensure product safety. These include risk assessments and end product testing for marine biotoxins," says SFS CEO Libby Woodhatch. "The responsibility for providing safe shellfish lies with the entire supply chain from fisherman or grower, through to those selling the product to the consumer. Failure to comply with the regulations could result in contaminated product being consumed, causing serious illness and undermining the shellfish sector as a whole," she explains

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Whilst the database will not replace the need for own checks , the pilot project aims to determine whether the pooling of industry biotoxin test results is a viable means of reducing the risk of contaminated product reaching the consumer, by helping fishermen avoid areas where biotoxins may be present. It will also provide processors with a useful risk assessment tool and could be used to demonstrate responsible practice, promote increased efficiency and supply chain transparency, and offer marketing advantages by providing additional reassurance to consumers.

Weekly results from the official marine biotoxin control programme in Scotland are published on: http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/farmingfood/shellfish/algaltoxin/ . The information mostly relates to classified harvesting areas, with some results from processors. Phytoplankton monitoring results can also be accessed via the same link and at present, this is the only information source open to fishermen and processors. "The development of the new database is an exciting project and one that we hope industry will fully support," says Libby Woodhatch.

Any Scottish companies dealing in scallops who wish to take part in the pilot should contact Seafood Scotland on 0131 557 9344 or enquiries@seafoodscotland.org.

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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