Public and private legislation - Pre-harvest risk

Question 1

How does the EU recognise that food animals are produced as part of livestock product food chains?

Answer 1

Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (2002)

“farm to fork” concept 2006 - part of the direct subsidy payments is based on compliance of certain food safety standards

Question 2

What does legislation provide for vets?

Answer 2

A framework for the veterinarian roles and is critical to protect the public

Question 3

What are the 3 components of the EU?

Answer 3

Council of the European Union
The European Commission
The European Parliament

Question 4

What is the Council of the EU?

Answer 4

Made up of leaders of each country, foreign and finance ministers.
Lisbon treaty established posts for President and high representative for foreign and security policy
Passes laws, usually legislation, together with Parliament

Question 5

What is the European Commission?

Answer 5

The European civil service heads are political appointees. They draft legislation for the Council and Parliament and ensures Member State compliance. I can also draft and adopt secondary legislation.

Question 6

What is the European Parliamenet?

Answer 6

Members are democratically voted. It can also pass laws and be involved in legislation.

Question 7

What are the 3 main tools to implement laws?

Answer 7

Regulations, directives and decisions

Question 8

Define ‘regulation’

Answer 8

THese are binding and directly applicable laws in their entirety in all Member States

Question 9

Define ‘directive’

Answer 9

These bind the Member States as regards the objectives to be achieved within a given period. The Member States transpose directives into national legislation.

Question 10

What happens if a Member State doesn’t transpose, implement or enforce a Directive?

Answer 10

The Commission may, if other approaches are unsuccessful, refer the matter to the Court of Justice.

Question 11

Define ‘decision’

Answer 11

They are fully binding to those to whom they are directed. They are used when the Commission orders measures to be implemented in a separate or individual case. To a member state, legal entity (company) or to an individual.

Question 12

How are regulations passed?

Answer 12

either jointly by the EU Council and the European Parliament or by the Commission alone.

Question 13

What are reserved powers?

Answer 13

E.g. the Veterinary surgeons act as it regulates the profession separately to EU legislation or national alws.

Question 14

How is animal health and welfare executed/enfored in the UK?

Answer 14

Legislation is split between DEFRA and local authorities. DEFRA operates through its Executive Agenecies - e.g. APHA. Legal authorities act as competent authorities.

Question 15

What has the most responsibility for the feed law and food law?

Answer 15

FSA - food standards agency

Question 16

What are the two broad types of EU agency?

Answer 16

Regulatory and executive. Regulators set laws. They have a vairety of specific roles, set out in their own legal basis, cases by case. Executive - implement laws. They are controlled and funded by the EU. They are both independent bodies.

Question 17

What is the FVO?

Answer 17

Food and Veterinary Office (an EU agenc that evaluates compliance with EU standards in food, veterinary and plant sectors)

Question 18

What is the EFSA?

Answer 18

European Food Safety Authority - it provides scientific advice on food and feed safety matters.

Question 19

When were the EU food hygiene regulations consolidated?

Answer 19

2006

Question 20

When is the Animal Health law expected to be created and enforced by the European Commission?

Answer 20

2015

Question 21

What is a notifiable disease?

Answer 21

A disease named under section 88 of the Animal Health Act 1981 or an Order made under that act. Must report if there is an animal affected or suspected to be affected. Must be reported to a police constable asap. List can be updated. Some specific EU directives exist for some notifiable diseases.

Question 22

What controls the use of Veterinary Medicines in UK? 2

Answer 22

VMD and Veterinary Medicines Regulations (updated every year)

Question 23

List some examples o private assurance schemes that exist for livestock products.

Answer 23

ADF - Assured Dairy Farms
ABM - Assured British Meat
ABP - Assured British Pork
ACP - Assured Chicken Production
ACCS - Assured Combinable Crops Scheme
FAWL - Farm assured welsh livestock
NIFQAS - Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assurance Scheme
QMS - Quality Meat Scotland
GQA - Genesis Quality Assurance.

Question 24

What schemes are agencies such as FSA working with in private sector?

Answer 24

‘earned recognition’ schemes

Question 25

What information is required under the FCI?

Answer 25

Origin of animals and their markings

Declarations (e.g. TB status, withdrawal periods observed, disease that may affect PH, pre-harvest risks)

Additional information where there are problems with disease or treatment (animal condition, drugs applied, movement restrictions, sample analysis)

Question 26

Is there an EU wide salmonella control programme for layers?

Answer 26

Yes and a National Control Programme UK for salmonella in layers which is an annual reduction of at least 10% in the number of positive adult laying flocks compared with the previous year.