Research laboratory services

Tender description

Annex 2 to the Northern Ireland Protocol prevents the UK in respect of NI from establishing an NRL for NI within the UK, including NI. NRL functions in respect of NI will need be carried out by an NRL located in the EU or EEA. National Reference Laboratory(s) for monitoring of marine biotoxins and viral and bacteriological contamination of bivalve molluscs for Northern Ireland play a vital role in protecting consumers from illness that could arise from the consumption of unsafe live bivalve molluscs, by providing specialist advice and technical support to the NI enforcement process. The appointed laboratory(s) will carry out the provision of services for the National Reference Laboratory for NI for the following areas: • Lot 1 Monitoring the viral and bacteriological contamination of bivalve molluscs • Lot 2 Monitoring of Marine biotoxins in live bivalve molluscs Public health protection from illness that could arise from the consumption of unsafe foods is required under the provisions of general food law. Viruses such Norovirus, hepatitis A virus and hepatitis E virus are recognised as important causes of human foodborne illness. The transmission of many such viruses is linked to consumption of certain contaminated foods including bivalve molluscs, which are commonly implicated in viral illness. Faecal contamination of waters where live bivalve molluscs are grown and harvested presents a risk of bacteriological contamination, which can cause illness if contaminated shellfish are eaten. Reg EC 2073/2005 requires an end product standard for Salmonella spp. and E.coli in live bivalve shellfish, to protect consumers. As required by Regulation EU 2019/627, FSA carries out routine official control monitoring of classified LBM production areas in NI for bacteriological contamination, using Escherichia coli as an indicator of faecal contamination. The data from this monitoring programme is used to determine the classification of shellfish production and relaying areas, which determines the level of post-harvest treatment required before the product can be placed on the market for human consumption. Filter-feeding live bivalve molluscs such as mussels and oysters can accumulate naturally occurring marine biotoxins, which are produced by toxin-producing phytoplankton. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/627 the FSA is required to monitor classified shellfish production or relaying areas for toxin-producing algae (phytoplankton) and marine biotoxins in live bivalve molluscs for human consumption. There are currently three groups of regulated marine biotoxins which can cause: — paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), — amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), — diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) caused by lipophilic toxins. The FSA also monitors shellfish production and relaying areas in NI for the presence of potentially toxin-producing phytoplankton, including the main species associated with the regulated biotoxin groups: — Alexandrium spp. (PSP), — Pseudo-nitzschia spp. (ASP), — Dinophysis spp.and Prorocentrum spp. (DSP).