Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.-(1) This Order may be cited as the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) (No.6) Order 1991 and shall come into force at 17.00 hours on 23rd July 1991.

(2) In this Order "bivalve mollusc" means bivalve molluscs of the class of lamellabranchia, and "relevant time" means one minute past midnight on 23rd July 1991.

Designated circumstances

2. In the opinion of the Secretary of State, bivalve molluscs in the area designated in article 3 below may be affected by the toxin which causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning in human beings and are likely to create a hazard to human health if they are consumed.

Designated area

3. The area described in the Schedule to this Order is hereby designated for the purposes of Part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

Activity prohibited in the designated area

4. No person shall fish for or take any bivalve molluscs in the designated area.

Prohibited movement of bivalve molluscs

5. No person shall move any bivalve molluscs out of the designated area.

Restrictions throughout the United Kingdom

6. No person shall in the United Kingdom or in United Kingdom waters-�

(a)use any bivalve molluscs taken out of the designated area after the relevant time in the preparation or processing for supply of food and anything from which food could be derived,

(b)land any bivalve molluscs which were in waters in the designated area after the relevant time,

(c)supply, or have in possession for supply, any bivalve molluscs which were in the designated area after the relevant time,

(d)supply, or have in possession for supply, any food or anything from which food could be derived in the preparation or processing of which anything was used in contravention of sub-paragraph (a) of this article,

(e)feed to any creature a feeding stuff in the preparation or processing of which anything was used in contravention of sub-paragraph (a) of this article.

Article 3

SCHEDULETHE DESIGNATED AREA

That area of the sea enclosed by a straight line extending in a northerly direction from Mull Head at 58° 58.4'N latitude and 2° 42.7'W longitude on Deerness Peninsula of the Mainland of Orkney to Rothiesholm Head at 59° 4.5'N latitude and 2° 40.7'W longitude on the Island of Stronsay, then in a north westerly direction to War Ness at 59° 8.3'N latitude and 2° 47.1'W longitude on the Island of Eday, then in a westerly direction to Point of the Graand at 59° 7.6'N latitude and 2° 55.2'W longitude on the Island of Egilsay, then in a north westerly direciton to Point of Avelshay at 59° 8.2'N latitude and 2° 57.8'W longitude on the Island of Rousay, then in a westerly direction along the line of the mean high water springs on the southern shore of the Island of Rousay to Point of Corse at 59° 8.2'N latitude and 3° 4'W longitude, then in a southerly direction to Aiker Ness at 59° 7.45'N latitude and 3° 4.4W longitude on the Mainland of Orkney, then in a generally easterly direction along the line of the mean high water springs on the northern shore of the Mainland of Orkney to the point of beginning at Mull Head.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order contains emergency prohibitions restricting various activities in order to prevent human consumption of food rendered unsuitable for that purpose by virtue of shellfish having been affected by the toxin which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning in human beings.

The Order designates an area within which fishing for or taking bivalve molluscs is prohibited (articles 3 and 4 and the Schedule). It prohibits the movement of bivalve molluscs out of that area (article 5). Other restrictions are imposed throughout the United Kingdom in relation to the use of any bivalve molluscs taken from that area.

Under section 21 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 the penalty for contravening an emergency prohibition is-�

(a)on summary conviction, a fine of an amount not exceeding the statutory maximum (at present £2,000);

(b)on conviction on indictment, an unlimited fine, or imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or both.

Powers of enforcement in relation to emergency prohibitions are conferred by section 4 of, and Schedule 2 to, the 1985 Act. Obstruction of enforcement officers is an offence under paragraph 10 of that Schedule.