Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 26 March 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Friday, 26 March 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking with the Food Standards Agency to minimise shellfish bed closures due to atypical positive results.

Answer: Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking with the Food Standards Agency to minimise shellfish bed closures due to atypical positive results. [163236] Mr. Bradshaw: The decision on whether to close shellfish beds is the policy responsibility of local Food Authorities, advised by the Food Standards Agency. The Department continues to stay in close contact with the Agency on a whole range of issues relating to the atypical positive results to ensure the problem is fully investigated and the appropriate actions are taken.

Secondary information