Agenda item

The Chair invited both Rebecca Johnson, Adviser, and Ellie Greenwood, Senior Adviser to introduce the item.  This introduction included details pertaining to the ‘Regulating our Future’ programme undertaken by the Food standards Agency (FSA), and confirmed that the Chair of the FSA, Heather Hancock, would be arriving to the board presently to deliver a presentation to members.

The introduction also focused on different aspects of the project and their various timeframes; an overview of the proposal for national inspection strategies, which included a number of pilots at different local authorities; as well as reflections made by the Welsh Local Government (WLGA) who have raised concerns over the programme and how national inspection strategies could impact the mandatory Welsh Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. 

An update on the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) was given by Ellie Greenwood, who stated that initial relationships between NFCU and trading standards officers have not started well.  Ellie made reference to a letter sent from the Association of Chief National Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) to the Chief Executive of the FSA, outlining these concerns. 

Heather Hancock was then invited to present to members (the presentation was subsequently circulated following the Board’s meeting).  Heather’s presentation included the following points:

·         The importance of maintaining public trust in food safety. 

·         The current period of the programme, from 2016 to 2020, is completely focused on modernising the whole of the food safety standards and structures currently in place.  This included details on the FSA’s open policy making approach, which is based on evidence gathering from stakeholders. 

·         The impact of Brexit, including the robust regulatory structure that has to be in-place by the end of March 2019 and the different work-streams within the organisation.  Heather discussed current vulnerabilities in relation to food safety, which includes putting together a rapid response team to alleviate any issues for imports into the UK to avoid any delays. 

·         Heather stated the programme has adopted a pre-planning rather than a crisis-reactive approach.

·         Heather discussed the reliance of the system on local government and the vital role it plays in ensuring food safety, emphasising that she did not see how the system could be run without the involvement of councils.

·         The FSA’s new online food business registration system is currently being rolled-out across the local government network; 40 councils are expected to be using the system by the end of March 2019, and others will follow after that.  Heather described the system as very user-friendly and easy-to-use, quoting the feedback received from the first businesses that have registered. 

·         There is cross party support for a mandatory FHRS system.

·         There is a shortfall of funding to support the regulatory system, and a new sustainable funding model is needed. However, the FSA feel there is a joint case to be made on this with other regulators.

·         There are worrying trends in work on food standards, with council resources very stretched. The FSA is working to design a model for the future, but it was again emphasised that councils would have an integral role on this.

·         An overview of the NFCU and the recent increase of staffing (from 19 to 82), following an increase funding from central government. Heather confirmed that the power of the NFCU is not a replacement for local government powers or responsibilities. 

Following the presentation, the Chair invited members to comment, where the following was discussed: 

Members held discussions over the new online system, including:

·         questioning if there was a charge for businesses to register;

o   Heather stated that that the system was completely free for businesses.

·         which countries within the UK this system is being implemented;

o   the system will be rolled out in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Food is a devolved matter in Scotland, which has its own food-standards structures in place.

·         any timescales in place for registration for existing food business rather than just new ones;

o   Heather confirmed that no final deadline had been set.

·         Environmental Health Officers’ reactions to the new system.

o   Heather concluded that the FSA had received positive feedback from the Environmental Health Officers who had used the system, and that the system had been set up to work alongside local government in-house systems. 

Members held discussions with Heather over so-called ‘pop-up’ kitchens; Heather confirmed that these are a slight vulnerability but work is being undertaken through the FSA’s open-policy making to address this. 

Members discussed the increase of staff at the NFCU in relation to serious food crime numbers.  Heather stated there were hundreds of serious food crime violations, and gave examples such as the sale of diet pills.  Members and Heather discussed the collaborative work of different bodies, and gave an example of a restaurant which was not advertising allergens in their products, which resulted in prosecution via a three-pronged approach: the local authority, the FSA and police. 

Members discussed environmental issues, including food waste, over-food production, and use of plastic.  Heather confirmed that these responsibilities lie with different organisations - mostly the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – but are not lead by the FSA.  However, the FSA champions good practice.

Members discussed the proposed differences in and the approach to inspections of food businesses under the RoF programme.  Heather stated that a pragmatic approach had to be taken, and gave the example of an art gallery selling chocolate.  Heather confirmed that technically the gallery is a food business but there would be no need for inspection providing no issues were being reported.  This led on to a discussion around pre-packaged food. 

Members held discussions over the risks lowering food standards to get trade deal with other countries – such as the United States – following Brexit.  Heather stated that not a single change is being made in food law or regulatory powers, and the FSA is actively trying to convey this message to the public.  Heather confirmed that the FSA will try to be consulted during any international trade deals. 

The Chair concluded the discussion with the FSA’s relationship with the WLGA, and how this is currently going.  Heather stated that the FSA continues to work closely with the WLGA, but admitted that there are differences of opinion. 

The Chair also brought up the letter sent by ACTSO to the FSA. Heather stated that this was the first time she had sight of the letter, and could not respond to it directly.  However, Heather did stated that the NFCU do not want to impact any of the work undertaken by National Trading Standards. 

The Chair thanked Heather for attending.

Action

·         Members noted the update.