UK food security reform during Brexit creates "additional risk"



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Some academics have argued that an "additional and unnecessary risk" is created by the Food Standards Agency's decision to continue major reform of UK food safety regulation during the negotiations on food safety. Brexit.

The reform program aims to change the way food is regulated in the UK, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The implementation of part of the program is to take place before 30 March 2019 – the date on which the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

The report asks the FSA to provide clarification and evidence for the ROF. then proposals should be modified or suspended until at least the end of Brexit. It was written by Professor Tim Lang, Professor Erik Millstone of Susbad, Tony Lewis of the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health and Professor Terry Marsden of Cardiff.

"FSA proposals could potentially weaken UK food standards." In addition, FSA plans may jeopardize UK producers' ability to sell their products to the EU after Brexit , as provided in the FSA's action plan. The FSA has yet to demonstrate how it intends to ensure that its proposals meet the regulatory requirements of the countries from which food can be imported into the EU. "

The report asked the FSA to clarify the costs of current and proposed systems, industry, agency and local authorities;" It is essential, in the context of negotiation and enactment of Brexit, that the FSA, and the UK government in general, avoid any decision, proposal or action that could harm food. UK safety standards or the reputation of the UK's food supply, "Millstone said.

The FSA stated Food Safety News : "We are absolutely clear that the changes in the Regulating Our Future program will strengthen the current regime of standards and food safety.

Academics have stated that an "unwise" Brexit poses significant risks to foods entering and exiting the United Kingdom. The report says the government recognizes the dire consequences as it provides for emergency plans to suspend food regulation in case of Brexit without agreement. Professor Lang said that it was risky but that it could also be considered a wise emergency planning.

"Consumers would rightly ask who guaranteed the safety and quality of the imported food they were buying. Criminals would be warned about the possibilities of food fraud. And this decision would send negative signals to the EU, at a delicate moment in the negotiations on Brexit. The report also welcomed the Checkers statement and the Brexit white paper published earlier this month recognizing the importance of agribusiness for Brexit, but both documents have weaknesses. Specifically, the government proposes a close alignment with the EU for agriculture and manufacturing but not for retail or food service.

The government's white paper provides more information on future relations between the UK and the EU. According to the Director General of the Federation, it is important to understand how the Common Regulation will work in practice.

"Businesses and consumers urgently need clarity and confidence in the process of monitoring and derogation from EU rules." It is good that the UK seeks to participate and influence EU technical committees and have access to RASFF, but many questions remain around our special relationship with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), "said Mr Wright. an organization that represents and advises food and beverage manufacturers in the United Kingdom. FoodDrinkEurope, a group representing the European food and beverage manufacturing industry, said it was "concerned" by the fact that the white paper makes no explicit reference to UK participation. United at EFSA

. the badessment and practical work of food and veterinary risk managers, as they ensure effective and timely prevention measures to ensure consumer safety in the EU27 and the UK. "

In June 2016, British voters decided a referendum marked by a" yes "vote of 51.9% with a turnout of 72.2%

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