$10.9 Million research funding aims to make NZ seafood safe.

The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology has announced it will be providing $10.9 million over six years for seafood safety research. The research is to be carried out by a consortium of research providers led by Cawthron Institute.

The end result of the research programme is to allow our $1.3 billion seafood export industry to identify and manage micro-organism risks for seafood.

The research team involves leading New Zealand researchers from Cawthron, AgResearch, ESR and Crop & Food.

Cawthron CEO Gillian Wratt says it’s research that is vital to protect our safe food image, premium quality status and international market access.

"We are pleased to be able to make such a significant contribution to the industry. The research will give seafood exporters and producers much needed assessment and control tools to help eliminate micro-organism threats to seafood. This is about providing practical research-based solutions that will help boost our export industry," she says.

The research will encompass four key areas which affect seafood safety - micro-algae toxins, contaminants, viruses and bacteria.

Cawthron Senior Scientist Dr Lesley Rhodes, who will head the programme says much of the research will be world leading. "We’ve designed the research to create cost-effective tools to enable the industry to forecast and rapidly respond to micro-organism threats. The key to their success is that the tools are based on solid science. Our aim is to have all our methods validated and internationally accredited," says Dr Rhodes.

The micro-algae toxin research will look at the effects of the algal toxins on seafood and on human health, and examine safety factors to ensure protection of all seafood consumers. Contaminant research will provide the seafood industry with on-site monitoring, evaluate new harmful micro-organisms and develop ways to mitigate the threats.

Viral contamination from raw sewage discharges is a growing problem. This research will develop a fast and cheap test for viruses, breed viral contamination resistant strains of shellfish and investigate ways to clean shellfish after harvesting.

Bacteria research will include finding fast methods to detect bacteria in seafood premises, evaluate particular bacteria for health risks and develop appropriate control measures.

Gillian Wratt says that New Zealand research in this area is internationally recognised. The programme will provide expert advice, based on the results of toxicological studies, to EU regulators to assist in the setting of appropriate regulatory levels for biotoxins in seafood. The research will also be closely monitored by a New Zealand Industry Advisory Group which will meet regularly to consider the research results and directions.

"We realise the value of this research to New Zealand, which is why we’re taking every step to ensure the work is of the highest priority to industry and regulators and that the research results will be adopted promptly."