UK – A pioneering qPCR assay has been launched by Primerdesign, aiming to improve the detection of Norovirus in oyster production amid increasing challenges faced by the UK’s shellfish industry.
The genesig® Easy_oys Detection Kit, a recent innovation by the established PCR kit provider, offers a swift and reliable method for identifying Norovirus genogroups GI and GII in oyster tissue.
This development arrives as the industry grapples with the severe impacts of coastal pollution.
The user-friendly kit, which can be used directly on-site, allows oyster farmers to promptly identify contamination points across their production lines.
This capability is expected to mitigate public health risks and help prevent the closure of shellfish farms—a growing concern as pollution incidents continue to escalate.
In a collaborative effort involving Primerdesign, oyster farmers, and the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, the kit was developed to provide an accessible tool for assessing food safety risks.
The Shellfish Association’s CEO, David Jarrad, highlighted the pressing need for such technology, particularly in light of ongoing environmental issues.
Jarrad expressed his satisfaction with the kit’s launch, noting that it reflects the culmination of extensive collaboration between the association and industry members.
The demand for efficient virus detection in bivalve shellfish has become increasingly urgent, particularly as the risk of Norovirus outbreaks looms large.
Currently, testing is conducted on a limited scale by organizations such as the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in England and the Marine Institute in Ireland, both of which face resource constraints.
Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Product Manager at Primerdesign, pointed out the challenges farmers face due to the scarcity of approved commercial tests and the limited number of accredited testing facilities in the UK.
This shortage often leads to delays, posing a significant threat to the industry.
While the new technology is expected to provide much-needed support, the oyster industry continues to contend with substantial environmental challenges.
In recent years, the industry has been severely impacted by sewage spills, with the UK’s heritage oyster sector struggling to survive.
A report by PoliticsHome indicated that water companies have been discharging raw sewage into England’s rivers and coastal areas—both legally and illegally—at alarming rates.
According to the Environment Agency (EA), water companies legally discharged raw sewage into England’s waterways an average of 825 times per day throughout 2022.
Additionally, a BBC investigation uncovered hundreds of instances of illegal wastewater discharges by three water companies during the same period.
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