CEFAS22-122 FSS Phytoplankton testing and analysis

Current legislation requires that classified shellfish production areas are monitored for microbiological contamination, marine biotoxins, harmful algae and chemical contamination. This forms part of an official control monitoring programme. In Scotland, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is the competent authority with responsibility for the implementation and delivery of the Scottish shellfish official control (OC) monitoring programme.

Cefas is the laboratory designated by FSS to provide a completely managed, high quality service for the provision of this programme across Scotland. Services delegated to Cefas include co-ordinating the programme, arranging the collection of samples and delivering the required testing, and this in line with relevant national legislation as well as FSS policies and protocols.

This appointment is to deliver the water monitoring element of this programme, testing samples to assess concentrations of harmful algae in Scottish classified shellfish production areas, within the context of the FSS OC monitoring programme.