B. MONITORING OF CLASSIFIED RELAYING AND PRODUCTION AREAS

Classified relaying and production areas must be periodically monitored to check: that there is no malpractice with regard to the origin, provenance and destination of live bivalve molluscs; the microbiological quality of live bivalve molluscs in relation to the production and relaying areas; for the presence of toxin-producing plankton in production and relaying waters and biotoxins in live bivalve molluscs; and for the presence of chemical contaminants in live bivalve molluscs. To implement paragraph 1(b), (c) and (d), sampling plans must be drawn up providing for such checks to take place at regular intervals, or on a case-by-case basis if harvesting periods are irregular. The geographical distribution of the sampling points and the sampling frequency must ensure that the results of the analysis are as representative as possible for the area considered. Sampling plans to check the microbiological quality of live bivalve molluscs must take particular account of: the likely variation in faecal contamination, and the parameters referred to in paragraph 6 of Part A. Sampling plans to check for the presence of toxin-producing plankton in production and relaying waters and for biotoxins in live bivalve molluscs must take particular account of possible variations in the presence of plankton containing marine biotoxins. Sampling must comprise: periodic sampling to detect changes in the composition of plankton containing toxins and their geographical distribution. Results suggesting an accumulation of toxins in mollusc flesh must be followed by intensive sampling; periodic toxicity tests using those molluscs from the affected area most susceptible to contamination. The sampling frequency for toxin analysis in the molluscs is, as a general rule, to be weekly during the periods at which harvesting is allowed. This frequency may be reduced in specific areas, or for specific types of molluscs, if a risk assessment on toxins or phytoplankton occurrence suggests a very low risk of toxic episodes. It is to be increased where such an assessment suggests that weekly sampling would not be sufficient. The risk assessment is to be periodically reviewed in order to assess the risk of toxins occurring in the live bivalve molluscs from these areas. When knowledge of toxin accumulation rates is available for a group of species growing in the same area, a species with the highest rate may be used as an indicator species. This will allow the exploitation of all species in the group if toxin levels in the indicator species are below the regulatory limits. When toxin levels in the indicator species are above the regulatory limits, harvesting of the other species is only to be allowed if further analysis on the other species shows toxin levels below the limits. With regard to the monitoring of plankton, the samples are to be representative of the water column and to provide information on the presence of toxic species as well as on population trends. If any changes in toxic populations that may lead to toxin accumulation are detected, the sampling frequency of molluscs is to be increased or precautionary closures of the areas are to be established until results of toxin analysis are obtained. Sampling plans to check for the presence of chemical contaminants must enable the detection of any overshooting of the levels laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 OJ L 77, 16.3.2001, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 655/2004 (OJ L 104, 8.4.2004, p. 48). .

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-04 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.