MSPs support changes to Scottish food safety body

By Laurence Gibbons

- Last updated on GMT

Scottish ministers have thrown their support behind an independent food safety body
Scottish ministers have thrown their support behind an independent food safety body

Related tags Scotland

Plans to replace the current Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland with a new Food Standards Scotland body have received the backing of Scottish health and sport ministers.

The Food Scotland Bill proposed that the current FSA in Scotland be replaced with Food Standards Scotland which, in addition to regulating food safety, would also have a role in diet and nutrition policy.

Deputy convener of the health and sport committee, Bob Doris MSP, said the Bill was much more than an administrative change.

Food safety, diet and nutrition

“Whilst this Bill may seem like an administrative change, in fact, what is being proposed is a new body which will not only be responsible for food safety but also diet and nutrition,” ​he said.

“It was clear that all these issues are extremely important in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland and protecting the reputation of Scotland’s food and drink industry. Our committee agrees that the creation of this new body will be a positive step forward.”

He did, however, call for more detail on the proposed research functions of Food Standards Scotland and how they would relate to UK-funded research bodies, in a new report.

The report also highlighted “significant opportunities”​ for the new body to gain from European funding streams including Horizon 2020. More detail in relation to how these funding opportunities can be exploited was also called for.

The new agency would also have the ability to apply administrative sanctions, including issuing fixed penalty notices, on those who commit an offence related to Scotland’s food law.

Appeals process

Whilst supportive of the principle, the committee called on the Scottish government to consider establishing an appeals process for the new sanctions.

Convener of the committee, Duncan McNeil MSP, said: “Scotland’s food and drink industry has gained an international reputation for quality, so the creation of this body will have a vital role in ensuring that consumers have trust in the safety of the food they eat.

“The proposed legislation will also give the new organisation greater power to administer sanctions to those breaking Scotland’s food law which will ultimately provide reassurance to consumers.”

The committee is currently in the initial stage considering the Food Scotland Bill. The Health and Sport Committee examines the Scottish Government’s health policy, the NHS in Scotland, sport and other matters within its remit.

It took evidence from a number of organisations including Tesco, Professor Hugh Pennington, the Scottish Retail Consortium and the Scottish Food and Drink Federation.

 

Related topics Food Safety

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