Importers and enforcement activity complaints
The relationship between enforcers and importers is generally good and both work together to ensure that the consumer is protected. However, sometimes enforcement activity can cause concern to individuals and commercial enterprises.
The following information is provided for individuals and commercial food and feed importers. It provides advice on redress options that are available when there are concerns relating to enforcement of imported food and feed controls at points of entry (seaports, airports, and international rail links).
The advice concerns options available to businesses or individuals who are importing food and feed from outside the European Union (EU) into the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) and are not content with actions taken or service provided by local authority enforcement officers at points of entry.
Animal Health advice
If you wish to find advice on redress relating to products of animal origin imported from outside the EU that are not food, e.g. hunting trophies, then please contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office. Animal Health is an executive agency of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra):
HM Revenue and Customs advice
Local authorities (including specialist local authorities called Port Health Authorities), normally carry out imported food and feed control services. However controls on illegal imports of animal products and documentary checks for feedingstuffs imports are the responsibility of HM Revenue and Customs. If you wish to discuss concerns relating to smuggling of animal products, have had food or feed seized by Customs Officers or wish to make a complaint about Customs then please seek advice from the Customs national helpline:
Tel: 0845 010 9000
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk
Remember, when importing food or feed from outside the EU into the UK you are responsible for ensuring that the import is legal and that all correct paperwork is provided to the relevant Authority/enforcement bodies. You should also be prepared to provide further information and documentation on request to an enforcement officer.
More in this section
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Complaints about service received
Monday 19 July 2004
If you import food and feed from outside the European Union into the United Kingdom and you are not content with the way that you are being dealt with by local authority enforcement officers or have concerns about the administration of imported food or feed control checks then you should proceed as follows:
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Legal action and enforcement
Monday 21 November 2005
During routine imported food and feed control work there are a number of enforcement actions that a local authority may take. These are detailed below with options available to importers of food and feed from outside the European Union into the United Kingdom who are not content with actions taken or service provided by local authority enforcement officers at points of entry.
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General appeals information
Monday 19 July 2004
If you are an importer of food and feed into the United Kingdom and you are concerned about enforcement activity or intend to appeal against any Notices or actions taken, and you are in any way unsure whether to appeal or how to do this, you are advised to seek independent legal opinion, for example from a Citizens Advice Bureau, Solicitor or other independent legal advisor.
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Enforcement Concordat and Service levels
Monday 19 July 2004
Individuals and companies that are importing food and feed into the United Kingdom are responsible for compliance with the Law. Enforcement officials are primarily there to 'protect the public, the environment and groups such as consumers and workers' (The Enforcement Concordat, Cabinet Office 1998).
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Targeting enforcement activity
Monday 19 July 2004
Targeting means making sure that enforcement activity is directed primarily towards those who are responsible for risk to public or animal health, where the risks are least well controlled or against deliberate or organised crime. Action will be focused on people or companies contravening the law or those directly responsible for the risk and who are best placed to control it.
