Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.-(1) This Order may be cited as the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) (No.4) Order 1993 and shall come into force at 1800 hours on 10th June 1993.

(2) In this Order "scallops" means scallops of the class ofPecten Maximus, and Queen Scallops of the class ofChlamys Opercularis, "mussels" meansMytilus Edulisand "relevant time" means one minute past midnight on 10th June 1993.

Designated circumstances

2. In the opinion of the Secretary of State, scallops and mussels 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 scallops or mussels in the designated area.

Prohibited movement of scallops or mussels

5. No person shall move any scallops or mussels 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 scallops or mussels 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 scallops or mussels which were taken from waters in the designated area after the relevant time,

(c)supply, or have in possession for supply, any scallops or mussels 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 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 paragraph (a) of this article.

Article 3

SCHEDULEThe Designated Area

That area of the sea off the eastern coastline of Caithness below mean high water springs bounded by a straight line drawn in an easterly direction from Clythness Lighthouse at 58°18.7' N latitude and 03 °12.5' W longitude until it meets longitude 02°30' W at 58 °18.7' N, thence in a northerly direction along the line of longitude 02°30' W to a point 58°38' N, thence in a straight line west to Duncansby Head Lighthouse at 58°38.7' N latitude and 03°1.5' W longitude and along the line of the mean high water springs on the eastern shore of Caithness between Duncansby Head Lighthouse and the point of beginning at Clythness Lighthouse.

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 taking scallops and mussels is prohibited (articles 3 and 4 and the Schedule). It prohibits the movement of scallops and mussels out of that area (article 5). Other restrictions are imposed throughout the United Kingdom in relation to the use of any scallops and mussels 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 £5,000);

(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.