Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee – 14/02/14

Chair Craig Brown promised an informative meeting.

Discussion from the action points raised the fear that Heads of Environmental Health in local authorities might not be people who have come through this side of the service delivery. Prediction that things will get very very tough within councils and changes will not be for the better as far as enforcement is concerned.

Secretariat had written to the SG Better Regulation team and officially hand over the national standard for mobile food businesses document for use.

George Fairgrieve gave the Resources Working Group Update.
Funding for training is available to assist graduates entering the vocation. For funding candidates have to be unemployed, under 24 and live within the local authority area. Rules vary within local authority. [send Craig SMT info].
The new Code of Practice (stakeholder meeting attended by DS on 04/02/14) would be addressed by a working group of SFELC. Stressed that this was very important.

Cross contamination guidance will be reviewed at Dundee meeting in April. A survey will be be undertaken ahead of this. Peter Midgley asked that training and consistency should be included and could include both enforcers and industry.
Commonwealth Games will also be part of the April meeting.

Philip Randles from FSA presented on the formation of an Intelligence Hub in response to the Troop Review of the Horsemeat Incident.
Communication issue re horsemeat because all the fragments were in existence to have revealed this.
How to address this?
A system based on Emerging a Risks Programme.
Broader structure for better gathering of intelligence through 'Agents'.
System would gather, analyse and evaluate unusual and unexpected occurrences and then potential risks would see actions taken.
Based on experience of 170 cases in the last year FSA have concluded that they require more 'Agents'. Information sources are numerous but they feel that they are missing very small fragments of information – something that is not right.
Feedback on Hub's activities are key if project is to be successful.
Food fraud could be unintended, deliberate, or malicious.
Hub will include 'Safe Spaces' – opportunity to share with trusted parties. These include:-
1. FSA's Emerging Risks Consultative Form
2. Defra Food Chain Emergency Liaison Group
3. Emerging Risks Exchange Network set up by EFSA.
Trade Associations are deemed to be important as'Agents'.
Counterfeit Vodka is an example of the type of fraud that falls under the Intelligence Hub. Since 1st January 2014 information has already created leads.
What is found is more important than how it was found.
SFELC will discuss how they can contribute to the information gathering.

Better Regulation update was given by Professor Russell Griggs of the Regulatory Review Group. This works as an independent advisory group to deliver better regulation impacts upon:-
1. Regulation and competitiveness (running an abattoir is higher in Scotland).
2. Move towards an enabling, outcomes based approach. Where is the national risk? (This requires resources that are not really there.)
3. Partnership and multi-lateral working. (Consult groups instead of individuals).
4. Communication leads to better understanding
5. Development of legislation as important as delivery
6. Guidance
View expressed that it will be business that suffers as regulatory resources are cut back and this means less advice to them in future.
Part of the problem in Scotland is that there is no accountability for environmental health through a government department or minister.

Benchmarking group for multiples had met FSA in Scotland. Main item were application of cross contamination guidance and issues of inconsistency. Primary authority scheme also raised. Scottish Retail Consortium do not attend SFELC but will do in future.
Revealed opportunities to shadow inspections, for joint training with industry.

Continuous Improvement – Project Pentagon was presented by Peter Midgley. This wIll look amongst other things at the information collected at approvals.

Reports from sub committees and Liaison groups.
Sale of burgers in a catering context – recommended good practice guidance is drawn up.

Date of Next Meeting : Friday 11 April 2014
Venue: Provisional: Dundee Apex Hotel.