NRL activities

Sixth workshop of European NRLs 15-17 May 2007
The NRL attended the fifth workshop of European NRLs held in Galway, Ireland from 15-17 May 2007. A report of the workshop and a list of the resolutions will be available in the information centre.

Norovirus and hepatitis A ring trial - December 2007
The CRL will be providing a pilot LENTICULE ring trial distribution for norovirus and Hepatitis A virus in December 2007. If you require further information please contact us.

Sanitary survey training course - October/November 2006
The CRL hosted the first sanitary survey training course in support of the new requirements contained within Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 on the 31st October to the 3rd November 2006. Delegates from 11 member states undertook 4 days of practical scenario based training on how to conduct sanitary surveys and produce sampling plans. Photo

E. coli/Salmonella spp. shellfish whole animal ring trial October 2006
To examine aspects of the standard shellfish method for E. coli and Salmonella spp. that are not covered by the HPA/CEFAS shellfish EQA scheme the NRL offered a distribution of whole mussels (Mytilus edulis) in October 2006. The sample comprised whole shellfish bioaccumulated with Salmonella Bristol and naturally contaminated with E.coli. The report on this ring trial (RT18) can be found in the information centre.

Fifth workshop of European NRLs 7-9 March 2006
The NRL attended the fifth workshop of European NRLs held at Cefas, Weymouth from 7-9 March 2006. A report of the workshop and a list of the resolutions will be available in the information centre.

NRL Meeting on recent developments and emerging issues January 2006
A meeting was held by the UK NRL on 10 & 11 January 2006 and attended by representatives of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, and Fisheries Research Service (FRS) Aberdeen. This was the first meeting held to consider issues other than those directly related to sampling, sample transport and laboratory testing for microbiological determinand. Issues covered in the meeting were driven by new EU legislation, developments in Europe, cross-UK concerns and possibilities for harmonisation of approaches. The meeting was organised into four sessions spanning two days covering monitoring programmes, sanitary surveys (requirements and recommendations), depuration and virus testing. Photo

E. coli/Salmonella spp. shellfish whole animal ring trial January 2006
To examine aspects of the standard shellfish method for E. coli and Salmonella spp. that are not covered by the HPA/CEFAS shellfish EQA scheme the NRL offered a distribution of whole Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in January 2006. The sample comprised whole shellfish bioaccumulated with Salmonella Nottingham and naturally contaminated with E.coli. The report on this ring trial (RT16) can be found in the information centre.

E. coli/Salmonella spp. shellfish homogenate ring trial October 2005
To examine aspects of the standard shellfish method for E. coli and Salmonella spp. that are not covered by the HPA/CEFAS shellfish EQA scheme the NRL offered a distribution of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in October 2005. Samples comprised chilled, homogenised flesh and intravalvular fluid obtained from oysters contaminated naturally with E. coli and seeded with S. Bristol. The report on this ring trial (RT12) can be found in the information centre.

FRNA bacteriophage ring trial September 2005
Samples for the fourth ring trial for FRNA bacteriophage were distributed in September 2005. The report on this ring trial (RT11a) can be found in the information centre.

UK testing labs open meeting - July 2005
On the 6 July 2005, the NRL hosted a meeting for staff from UK laboratories undertaking microbiological testing of bivalve molluscs. Presentations, demonstrations and discussion fora covered - public health issues and related EU legislation, bacteriological and virological testing, external quality assessment and development of viral standards for bivalve shellfish. The meeting qualified for 7 credits through the Institute of Biomedical Science’s “Continuous Professional Development” (CPD) scheme.
Open meeting agenda

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