Elizabeth McNulty Head of Incidents Branch Food Standards Agency

 How the RASFF System is Implemented in the UK  Explanation of Internal Procedures

The role of the FSA:  To ensure that consumers’ interests with regard to food safety and standards are protected.

 First contact point for reported incidents 24/7 response capability  Team leader: Designated UK national RASFF contact point  Team Members: Authorised RASFF contact points  Authorisation of RASFF notification submitted through TRACES relating to POAO

 To investigate all reported incidents and ensure appropriate action is taken.  Maintains official audit trail using dedicated Incidents Database.  Custodians of incident procedures -Incident Response Protocol, Incident Reviews  Training & Exercises

 All RASFF information comes directly to the NCP/CPs in the Incident Response Branch  The exception; Border Rejection Notifications -sent directly to authorised BIP contacts.  All information flow is controlled by the NCP/CPS

 Divided into Counties  Further divided into Local Authorities.  465 Local Authorities in UK  Responsible for enforcing food law.

 NCP/CPs contact enforcement authority responsible for FBO named in RASFF  NCP/CPs forwards all the relevant information from the RASFF notification  NPC/CPc requests specific information/actions from the enforcement authorities

 Enforcement officers pass requested information back to NCP/CPs  NCP/CPs complete RASFF template  Draft passed to Policy lead for check  Draft cleared by NCP/CPs and sent to EC

 BIPs routinely sample incoming food/feed consignments originating from outside EU to ensure compliance with legislation  Adverse results are notified to Incidents Branch via draft RASFF notification  Draft passed to Policy Lead  Draft cleared by NCP/CPs and sent to EC

wsarchive/2011/may/report

Thank you for your attention Liz McNulty Head of Incident Response Food Standards Agency