We are seeking key stakeholders’ opinions on our proposed policy which sets out how we, the competent authority, will deal with unacceptable behaviour by food business operators and specifically the withdrawal of inspection and veterinary services from approved slaughterhouses and cutting plant premises.
We are seeking views on guidance for local authorities and for food business operators that produce sprouts and seeds intended for sprouting. We have developed the guidance, which is in question and answer format, following the introduction of measures to enhance controls following the 2011 outbreak of E.coli O104:H4 in Germany and France.
We are inviting recommendations for priorities for the 2016-17 National Coordinated Sampling Programme. Since 2003 the FSA has made grants available to UK enforcement authorities to supplement their own targeted, risk-based sampling activities.
We are seeking views on the possible impact to the meat industry that would be caused by the European Commission’s recent proposal about the storage periods permitted for chilled meat intended for mincing.
The Food Standards Agency and National Trading Standards (NTS) have agreed in principle to set up a partnership for the delivery of the national coordinated food sampling programme covering food standards issues. This builds on the successful delivery of the feed surveillance programme by the NTS in 2014/15. Local authorities may already have seen the message from NTS on this dated 18 June.