Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the designation for shellfish in Lough Foyle; and if there are changes expected to this designation in the near future. [25601/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The deputy is referring to either the designation of shellfish waters under the Directive 2006/113/EC on the Quality Required of Shellfish Waters or to the Classification of Shellfish Areas according to the requirements of food safety legislation by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. In accordance with the Government Decision of 30th July 2007, all active shellfish production sites where the waters are in need of protection or improvement in relation to the parameters specified in Directive (2006/113/EC), will be designated.

The interdepartmental Shellfish Waters Management Committee are at an advanced stage in the identification, mapping and selection of sampling points for these sites. On completion of this work, a process of public consultation will commence in advance of the designation of these sites by regulation. Any sites which are actively productive and where the water is in need of protection or improvement in the Irish territorial Waters of Lough Foyle are likely to be included in this process. The process of consultation and designation will be carried out in conjunction with the Loughs Agency in relation to Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough.

In accordance with the Government Decision of 2 October 2007, responsibility for the Quality of Shellfish Waters function concerning Directive 2006/113/EC will transfer to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Preparation for this transfer is at an advanced stage. My officials will continue to work with that Department on these issue through it's representation on the Interdepartmental Shellfish Waters Management Committee.

In relation to the Classification of Shellfish Areas according to the requirements of food safety legislation by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the European food regulations require shellfish areas to be classified using the amount bacteria found in sampled shellfish, as an index of water quality. The resultant outcome is one of three classifications; 'A' (highest quality, lowest bacterial count) through 'B' and 'C'. This classification defines how these shellfish may be marketed, for example, shellfish consumed directly may only be harvested from 'A' areas, that is, waters meeting the highest microbiological standards. Conversely, shellfish harvested from areas of lower water quality require further depuration/purification prior to sale.

In Ireland, the SFPA is the Competent Authority for classification of shellfish areas, under Service Contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). SFPA officers carry out regular sampling of areas, for analysis at laboratories under the supervision of the Marine Institute (MI). Over the past year, the SFPA has participated in establishing a Code of Practice for microbiological classification of shellfish areas, with significant input from FSAI, MI and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, and the Irish Shellfish Association, as well as a nationwide series of consultation meetings with the shellfish industry, and an on-line consultation process.

This has resulted in the recent publication by the SFPA of the 2008 classification for all Irish shellfish areas. For Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough the Irish Authorities collaborate with the Northern Ireland authorities and the Loughs Agency. The outcome for harvesting of oysters in Lough Foyle in 2008 was B status as it has been for previous years.