Import of food from third countries: guidance for food authorities

Friday 10 March 2006

The Food Standards Agency has issued guidance for the import of food from third countries (non-European Union countries) for enforcement officers at ports and inland local authorities.

Developed with a group of key stakeholders, and following comments from a public consultation, the guidance will form part of the FSA's Framework Agreement with local authorities on their planning and delivery of food law enforcement services. Issues covered include: authorisation of officers; examination and sampling requirements, record-keeping; local enforcement arrangements; and dealing with illegal imports outside Border Inspection Posts.

The guidance for England can be found below in the Annex 14 of the Food Law Practice Guidance.

Draft guidance is available for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland and can be found in Annex 14 of the relevant draft Food Law Practice Guidance below. Final versions of the guidance will be issued in due course.