Division A REQUIREMENTS FOR PURIFICATION CENTRESX1

Food business operators purifying live bivalve molluscs must ensure compliance with the following requirements.

1. 1..

   Before purification commences, live bivalve molluscs must be washed free of mud and accumulated debris using clean water.

2. 2..

   Operation of the purification system must allow live bivalve molluscs rapidly to resume and to maintain filter-feeding activity, to eliminate sewage contamination, not to become re-contaminated and to be able to remain alive in a suitable condition after purification for wrapping, storage and transport before being placed on the market.

3. 3..

   The quantity of live bivalve molluscs to be purified must not exceed the capacity of the purification centre. The live bivalve molluscs must be continuously purified for a period sufficient to achieve compliance with allow the health standards of Chapter V and microbiological criteria adopted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.

4. 4..

   Should a purification tank contain several batches of live bivalve molluscs, they must be of the same species and the length of the treatment must be based on the time required by the batch needing the longest period of purification.

5. 5..

   Containers used to hold live bivalve molluscs in purification systems must have a construction that allows clean seawater to flow through. The depth of layers of live bivalve molluscs must not impede the opening of shells during purification.

6. 6..

   No crustaceans, fish or other marine species may be kept in a purification tank in which live bivalve molluscs are undergoing purification.

7. 7..

   Every package containing purified live bivalve molluscs sent to a dispatch centre must be provided with a label certifying that all molluscs have been purified.