Contractors sought for Scottish shellfish monitoring

Thursday 13 September 2007

The Food Standards Agency Scotland is seeking contractors to provide a robust monitoring programme for biotoxins in the country's shellfish production areas.

The monitoring programme focuses on three main groups of toxins: diarrhetic shellfish poison (DSP), amnesic shellfish poison (ASP), and paralytic shellfish poison (PSP).

Sampling and analysis are required throughout the year, though more intensively from April to October. Scotland has 175 classified shellfish production areas and samples are taken from 81 representative monitoring points.

Each testing laboratory will be required to have necessary equipment and expertise to:

• undertake the sampling plan to ensure that the legislative requirements are met,
• carry out analysis of shellfish flesh for the detection of ASP, DSP and PSP by the regulatory methods
• have the capacity to undertake analysis by chemical means,
• provide a full sample logistics operation to ensure that samples are transported as efficiently and quickly as possible.

The potential contractor will need to

• show that their organisation is commercially sound and,
• show relevant proven experience and adequate resources.

It is hoped that a contract or contracts will be awarded by mid January 2008. Implementation planning will be expected to start as soon as possible to ensure that full contract operation is possible with effect from 1 April 2008. The intention is to award a three year contract with possible extension for a further two years.

To obtain further details and a questionnaire click on the link below. Questionnaires need to be returned by 15 October 2007.