Scottish Biotoxin Monitoring Programme Risk Assessment Review

Tender description

The aim of this project is to make best use of existing data to develop an efficient and cost effective biotoxin sampling programme for Scotland which is capable of detecting risks and identifying when action is needed to prevent toxic shellfish from being placed on the market. A multidisciplinary approach is sought (including statistical/modelling expertise, knowledge of marine biotoxins and an understanding of the industry and legislative requirements in this area) to fully address this requirement by undertaking a number of tasks. Legislation (Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/627) requires that a range of Official Controls (OCs) are carried out to ensure the safety of water bodies used for the harvesting of live bivalve molluscs (LBMs, shellfish). FSS is the competent authority in Scotland for the management of the majority of these OCs, including a programme of monitoring for marine biotoxins.