Reference laboratories for the monitoring of marine biotoxins

The rapporteur explained that his report stemmed from the closure of the marine observation laboratory in Aberdeen in Scotland. He said that this decision, dictated by reasons of financial austerity, had adversely affected the region’s well-being as the laboratory used to ensure the safety of people’s food faced with the risks of botulism, salmonella and E. coli 0157. Commissioner Gradin was pleased with the support given by the rapporteur and the Committee on Fisheries to the Commission initiative on public health.