The Food Standards Agency in Scotland is inviting tenders for a research study reviewing the current evidence for the use of indicator shellfish species.
This will be for biotoxin and chemical contaminants monitoring in Scottish shellfish production areas.
The desk-based research study will be to provide evidence and information on the possibility for the use of a single shellfish indicator species for biotoxin and chemical monitoring in Scotland.
The results will inform future monitoring regimes, to ensure that public health is not compromised from the consumption of any shellfish species harvested from classified harvesting areas.
Researchers will be required to collate, critically review and evaluate available UK and international literature and evidence, both published and unpublished, on the use of indicator species for biotoxins and chemical monitoring in live bivalve molluscs.
Details about the specific approach and criteria, to be used in the assessment of the strength and robustness of the evidence identified, should be included.
It is envisaged that the project will take a maximum of six months, with a final report submitted to the Agency no later than the end of February 2014.
Applications should be submitted online via the FSA’s website by 5pm on 4 April 2013.
