This desk study reviewed relevant literature relating to approaches that have been used or may be used for establishing exclusion zones for bivalve shellfish harvesting around sewage discharge points. The study also assessed technical and practical applicability of the various approaches identified to the UK’s shellfish harvesting waters.
Background: Raw bivalve shellfish are widely recognised to be a high risk commodity with regard to viral contamination and norovirus in particular, although the relative contribution of different sources and transmission routes (including foodborne transmission) to the overall burden of norovirus in the community is not yet established.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended that control options to reduce the risk from norovirus-contaminated oysters should focus on preventative approaches that avoid viral contamination. EFSA suggested several potential preventative control options including introduction of prohibition zones (‘exclusion’ or ‘buffer’ zones) around sewage discharges where shellfish may not be harvested. Exclusion zones are likely to be a key risk management option for further consideration at EU level.
The study provided an evidence base to inform development of UK policy in respect of possible establishment of exclusion zones and contributed to risk management discussions within the EU. Source: FSA
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