The National Monitoring Programme for Residues in Farmed Fish

Abstract

The National Monitoring Programme for Residues in Farmed Fish is a key component of Ireland’s compliance with European Union legislation on food safety and veterinary medicine use in aquaculture. The Marine Institute (MI) implements this programme through sampling and testing for monitoring of chemical residues for farmed fish. on behalf of the the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), in collaboration with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The programme forms part of the National Residue Risk-Based Control Plan (NRBCP). This plan ensures that farmed finfish are monitored for residues of veterinary medicines and other chemical substances, safeguarding consumer health and supporting sustainable aquaculture practices. The programme aligns with EU regulations, including Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and its associated delegated and implementing acts, and is submitted annually to the European Commission for review and approval. Through targeted sampling and analysis, the programme aims to detect the misuse of authorised treatments and the presence of unauthorised substances, thereby upholding food safety standards and public confidence in aquaculture products.