Food Standards Agency Pre Consultation Event – 21 November 2012

Donald Henderson, Scottish Government gave a comprehensive introduction.
Aim for new body early part of 2015. Reason legislation and consultation timetable, royal consent summer 2014.
Know that there are certain things that they want this body to do. FSA will remain at arms length from Scot Gov. Needs to retain independence of advice.
Base will continue to be in Aberdeen.

Looking for an open discussion on additional things
Debate to how relate to industry, consumer affairs. Needs to engage with professionals. How should it relate? Seeking wider views.
Ability to set the right questions.

Charles Milne, Director FSA in Scotland
Since inception trust increased from 30% to over two thirds. Minister Michael Mathieson committed to make this work. Process must in no way decrease consumer safety. Also recognise strength of UK approach and will try to deliver in terms of Scotland and across UK. Management of incidents – this can work across UK.
Staff in Aberdeen are up for the change, huge amount of enthusiasm.

Session One: Potential Scope of New Food Body was discussed in facilitated groups.
Budget and governance will not be discussed
Interested in areas not covered by FSA.

Functions suggested:-
Involved in planning decisions on number of fast food outlets
Coordination of controls
More product testing
Streamlining visits
Umbrella organisation for healthy eating, obesity and nutrition
Evidence based organisation, risk based, target resources
Co-ordinating viewpoints with different stakeholders
Feed control concerns
Tapping into existing FSA resources
Local authority approvals better delivered dealing with one regulator
Clearer leadership role on healthy eating.
Audit system for NFB should not be contracted out.
Scope should not be expanded.
Scottish advice for Scottish consumers
Who would be competent authority as viewed by EU given UK is the Member State
Co-ordinated messages online
Meat plant responsibilities – only one inspectorate
Trading Standards inclusion
Animal by products enforcement should be under NFB.
Remit broadened to public health responsibility
Public laboratories included in NFB
Streamlining food inspections
Misinformation – marketing high fat, high sugar foods – especially around schools
Environmental sustainability
Regulation simplification
Research and advice – will it continue to use UK advice for consistency of messages
Deprivation
Engagement with EU ?
Training of food handlers – the content of what training should be
Common departments with UK
Enhanced connection with Animal Health
Risk based inspections rather than number based
Flexibilities to allowed joined up delivery
Better dissemination of information through schools
Bring animal health, welfare and feed together
Collaborative research
Create a central registration of expertise

*Things that FSA should not be doing.
Imported food controls
Current enforcement undertaken by local authorities
Labelling advice should be left at UK level
Not duplicate diet and nutrition delivery
Inspection of low risk businesses
Needs to give clarity of responsibilities
Should not confine itself to just food safety, include public health issues

Two themes emerged co-ordination and streamlining. These issues will be raised in consultation.

*Session two examined gaps in existing domestic law
Against a background of Better regulation process examined –
EU legislation -effective, proportionate, penalties.
Identify primary legislation

*Gaps in the existing legislation:
Licensing linked to mandatory FHIS. Ministers have adequate provisions for this.
Mandatory FHIS may not be within powers of current legislation.
Ability to control imports of feedstuff.
Whatever comes forward must be proportionate and take cognisance of better regulation.
Procedures for sampling could be improved.

*Increasing powers
FHIS – strong support for concept but doubts about enforcement of displaying the certificates.

*New enforcement measures?
Requires professional application
Labelling

*Examples of good use elsewhere
Dog fouling, tobacco selling, registration of estate agents, enforcing non smoking areas.

Charles Milne
Help us about what we want to consult on in early 2013.
Control of imports on feedstuffs
Not a lot of gaps.
FHIS agreed mandatory. FHIS will be promoted much more in the near future.