Written question asked by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 13 May 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. It was answered by Andrea Leadsom (Conservative) on Monday, 20 May 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Shellfish

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many shellfish waters were categorised into class (a) A, (b) B, (c), C and (d) below class C for E.coli concentration in each year between 2019 and 2024.

Answer

The following 17 classification zones have been prohibited for more than one year: Bailey’s Hard; Prinstead; Thurstaston East; Turnaway Point Relay; Wisemans; Mersey, specifically Wallasey; Dodnor; Aldingham; Plym; Tamar; Lytchett Bay; Fareham Lake Middle; Ribble Channel; Silloth South, specifically Catherinehole Scar; Itchen River; Eling; and Hythe. The following table provides a breakdown of classifications awarded, and the number of areas designated as prohibited for commercial harvesting, each year between 2019 and 2024:

	A	B	C	Total classifications	Areas prohibited for commercial harvesting
2019	27	232	29	288	17
2020	32	226	30	288	16
2021	39	253	18	310	17
2022	60	222	13	295	18
2023	66	240	9	318	22
Current classifications	63	229	8	300	19

Notes:

These figures were accurate as of 14 May 2024 and are subject to change due to interim classification updates.
These figures are inclusive of areas which carry seasonal classification on time-limited prohibition.

Annual classification for 2024 will be published on 1 December 2024, however, the current classification stands at 63 class A, 229 class B and 8 class C beds.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 25819
Session: 2023-24
Grouped for answer: Yes
Transferred: Yes
Subjects: Standards Water Shellfish E. coli
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Shellfish

Secondary information

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