SINGAPORE: The creation of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has been hailed by the industry, which said the new statutory board would better support the local food sector and help boost its efficiency .
The SFA, which will oversee food security, will be set up by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) next April. It will consolidate the food-related functions currently performed by three other organizations – the Singapore Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Food and Agriculture Authority of the United States. Health Sciences (HSA).
19659004] Addressing reporters on the sidelines of a visit to The Soup Spoon on Thursday, July 26, Minister of Environment and Water Resources, Masagos Zulkifli, said that the SFA was going to better "integrate" the food industry.
"This will bring together various parts of these agencies to examine food from the farm to the table, which will integrate the industry and support them in order to take advantage of the benefits of our food industry. "
George Huang, president of the newly established Singapore Federation of Agribusiness Enterprises (SAFEF), said the creation of the SFA would facilitate the licensing process by farmers.
point of view of farmers, I think it is very difficult. od movement, "said Huang." Now we have an organizational organ that covers the entire supply chain … It will be much more effective and will support much more entrepreneurship. "
" For example, Agribusiness and Veterinary Authority (AVA) (currently) occupies agricultural licenses, but if for example a fish farm wants to sell fish on the premises of the farm, it falls under the retail trade, which falls under the NEA. "
not getting the license – Singapore is quite efficient, as is the NEA, but the rules may not be fully aligned," Huang added. "L & # 39; one deals with agriculture and the other with retail, and there may be gray areas or gaps between the two. "
Jocelyn Chng, CEO of JR Group Holdings , which operates restaurants and vending machines from others, have agreed that the formation of the SFA would streamline the application process for the relevant licenses.
JR Group Vending Machines machines. (Photo: Lee Li Ying)
At present, food retailing companies are licensed by the National Environment Agency (NEA), but those wishing to operate a central kitchen must obtain a different license from the AVA.
"This will be more effective because we do not need to go to two authorities or agencies to obtain the authorization and approval", did she adds. "With this agency alone, in terms of regulation, agents or the agency will be very clear in what they offer."
"There is also more clarity, we know where to go and which agency to approach, thirdly, we will also get better support, assuming that there are licensing officers who are familiar with our businesses, they will be able to better support us. "
The hope is that these changes would also lead to greater savings for businesses. As Ms. Chng said," it will be a win-win situation for everyone, "she added
while Mr. Shannon Lim, who operates a fish farm off Lorong Halus, welcomed this announcement. He also hoped that the SFA would be able to better allocate resources, including manpower, to help local farmers.
"(This is a good idea," explained Mr. Lim, explaining that the AVA was still too thin
Mr. Lim stated that he was only He had still not received a compulsory fish farmer identity card for one of his employees, although it was approved in February.
"We tried to collect it at their office in June They said it was not ready yet, "he added," a more focused agency should be able to allocate resources better. "
But apart from resource management, Mr. Huang hopes that the SFA
"We need to increase the capabilities of Singapore, so that our products comply with international standards, that they are exportable – that's where you get greater value from the Singapore branding. "
