Report on the findings to date from the Agency's audits of UK local authorities

Friday 5 November 2004

An update to the Board on the Agency's local authority (LA) audit activity since the scheme commenced in April 2001 and on the key findings that have arisen from audit.

The improvement of food law enforcement by LAs is a key priority in the Agency's strategic plan for 2001-2006. More effective enforcement should improve the safety and quality of the food that consumers eat. The Agency's audit of LA food law enforcement activity aims to ensure a more consistent and effective approach to enforcement across the UK. To reflect the holistic approach of the Agency's audits of LAs, references to food law enforcement within this paper incorporate all aspects of LA food and feed law enforcement activity, including controls relating to imported food and feed.

The Agency's LA Audit Scheme was launched in April 2001 and forms part of the Framework Agreement on Local Authority Food Law Enforcement. The scheme was established to enable the Agency to carry out a qualitative assessment of LA conformance with the Food Law Enforcement 'Standard' in the Framework Agreement. The Standard sets out the minimum expected levels of performance for all aspects of local authority food law enforcement activity, including inspections, sampling, complaints, formal enforcement, promotion and advice to business.