MAC Briefing Paper:
Cyanide Detection Testing and MAC Certification-Update
June 18, 2003
Overview
Our briefing paper on CDT published April 30, 2003 outlined current and planned actions to address the concerns about possible cyanide use by MAC Certified collectors and possession of cyanide caught fish by MAC Certified exporters.
This plan relies on the cooperation and assistance of several other parties and therefore the objectives proposed cannot always be realized within the projected timelines.
The following describes the progress to date and slightly revised timescales:
Item:1. Identify and interact with laboratories, government agencies, research institutions and chemical detection equipment manufacturers to create a network and partnerships on evaluating cyanide detection tests (CDT).
Status/Update: Ongoing
Action Item/Steps: Ongoing
2.Work with target partner laboratories and the BFAR Laboratory to validate CDT method(s) and lab(s) that can be provisionally accepted until fully evaluated by the MAC Board Committee.
Status/Update: Ongoing; planned for completion in July 2003.
Phase 1 testing to be completed by July 1, 2003.
Phase 2 testing to be completed by mid July 2003.
Action Item/Steps:Discussions were held with BFAR and Merck.
It was agreed to split the testing into two phases.
Phase 1 - To check the repeatability and concordance of various test protocols and equipment.
Phase 2 - To assess the effects and levels of cyanide exposure on fish over time.
Phase 1 was planned for June 5 & 6th, 2003 but had to be postponed at the request of BFAR and Merck.
Phase 1 testing now planned for June 25 & 26th, 2003.
3. Work with industry, especially exporters, to obtain commitment to monitoring and sampling for cyanide detection.
Status/Update:Completed for PTFEA in February 2003; ongoing for other industry members.
Action Item/Steps:No further action at this time
4. Amend the MAC Standards to more specifically require mandatory monitoring and sampling of fish for cyanide presence at all MAC Certified operations.
Status/Update:Underway; planned for completion in May 2003.
Review of amendments to be completed by July 2003
Action Item/Steps:Proposed amendments have been made to the MAC Interpretive Document. These are now being reviewed. The review to be completed by July 1, 2003
5. Establish the Chemical Detection Methods Committee of the MAC Board.
Status/Update:Planned for completion in July 2003.
Action Item/Steps:Structure and individuals identified. Contact to be made and committee established beginning in July 2003.
6. Implement monitoring, sampling and testing for MAC Certified collectors and exporters, using the provisionally accepted CDT methods and labs.
Status/Update:Planned for implementation in July 2003 and continuing thereafter.
Action Item/Steps:Start in July 2003
7. Undertake background cyanide level tests for MAC Certified and candidate collection areas.
Status/Update:Planned for implementation beginning in June 2003 and continuing thereafter.
Action Item/Steps:To be undertake as part of Phase 1 testing
First samples taken from Bohol will be tested June 25 & 26th, 2003
8. Fully evaluate provisionally accepted CDT methods and labs.
Status/Update:Planned for completion by August 1, 2003.
Action Item/Steps:Initial discussions undertaken with BFAR with respect to ILAC Laboratory accreditation.
9. Publish CDT results on the MAC website.
Status/Update:Planned for commencing in August 2003 and continuing thereafter.
Action Item/Steps:Start work when appropriate
10. Establish a cyanide monitoring, sampling and testing program as part of MAC Certification development in Indonesia.
Status/Update:Planned as part of MAC efforts in Indonesia.
Action Item/Steps:Start work when appropriate
Cyanide Detection Testing and MAC Certification-Update
June 18, 2003
Overview
Our briefing paper on CDT published April 30, 2003 outlined current and planned actions to address the concerns about possible cyanide use by MAC Certified collectors and possession of cyanide caught fish by MAC Certified exporters.
This plan relies on the cooperation and assistance of several other parties and therefore the objectives proposed cannot always be realized within the projected timelines.
The following describes the progress to date and slightly revised timescales:
Item:1. Identify and interact with laboratories, government agencies, research institutions and chemical detection equipment manufacturers to create a network and partnerships on evaluating cyanide detection tests (CDT).
Status/Update: Ongoing
Action Item/Steps: Ongoing
2.Work with target partner laboratories and the BFAR Laboratory to validate CDT method(s) and lab(s) that can be provisionally accepted until fully evaluated by the MAC Board Committee.
Status/Update: Ongoing; planned for completion in July 2003.
Phase 1 testing to be completed by July 1, 2003.
Phase 2 testing to be completed by mid July 2003.
Action Item/Steps:Discussions were held with BFAR and Merck.
It was agreed to split the testing into two phases.
Phase 1 - To check the repeatability and concordance of various test protocols and equipment.
Phase 2 - To assess the effects and levels of cyanide exposure on fish over time.
Phase 1 was planned for June 5 & 6th, 2003 but had to be postponed at the request of BFAR and Merck.
Phase 1 testing now planned for June 25 & 26th, 2003.
3. Work with industry, especially exporters, to obtain commitment to monitoring and sampling for cyanide detection.
Status/Update:Completed for PTFEA in February 2003; ongoing for other industry members.
Action Item/Steps:No further action at this time
4. Amend the MAC Standards to more specifically require mandatory monitoring and sampling of fish for cyanide presence at all MAC Certified operations.
Status/Update:Underway; planned for completion in May 2003.
Review of amendments to be completed by July 2003
Action Item/Steps:Proposed amendments have been made to the MAC Interpretive Document. These are now being reviewed. The review to be completed by July 1, 2003
5. Establish the Chemical Detection Methods Committee of the MAC Board.
Status/Update:Planned for completion in July 2003.
Action Item/Steps:Structure and individuals identified. Contact to be made and committee established beginning in July 2003.
6. Implement monitoring, sampling and testing for MAC Certified collectors and exporters, using the provisionally accepted CDT methods and labs.
Status/Update:Planned for implementation in July 2003 and continuing thereafter.
Action Item/Steps:Start in July 2003
7. Undertake background cyanide level tests for MAC Certified and candidate collection areas.
Status/Update:Planned for implementation beginning in June 2003 and continuing thereafter.
Action Item/Steps:To be undertake as part of Phase 1 testing
First samples taken from Bohol will be tested June 25 & 26th, 2003
8. Fully evaluate provisionally accepted CDT methods and labs.
Status/Update:Planned for completion by August 1, 2003.
Action Item/Steps:Initial discussions undertaken with BFAR with respect to ILAC Laboratory accreditation.
9. Publish CDT results on the MAC website.
Status/Update:Planned for commencing in August 2003 and continuing thereafter.
Action Item/Steps:Start work when appropriate
10. Establish a cyanide monitoring, sampling and testing program as part of MAC Certification development in Indonesia.
Status/Update:Planned as part of MAC efforts in Indonesia.
Action Item/Steps:Start work when appropriate
