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Food transport set for closer scrutiny

20th January 2000
Page 10
Page 10, 20th January 2000 — Food transport set for closer scrutiny
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by Karen Miles Transport operators handling food are likely to face even tougher scrutiny under European Union plans to set up a pan-European body to prevent future health scares.

The proposals from Brussels, which were published last week, say the new European Food Authority will make risk assessments of the impact of food production and its storage, transport and sale on consumer health, as well as of animal welfare issues. This could result in new EU legislation to improve food safety.

Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne wants EU governments to agree to a General Food Law which will embody the principles of food safety. It would define the responsibilities of all farmers, manufacturers and food carriers and the traceability of all animal feed, human food and ingredients.

He wants the EFA, which will leave enforcement powers to each member state, to be in place within two years.

The National Farmers' Union has welcomed the creation of the EFA, although it wants reassurance that the European body will not create conflicts with the Food Standards Agency, which starts work in the UK in the spring. NFU transport adviser Mark Bran hopes the EFA will have the power to stop situations similar to those that led to the British beef ban, which halted the export of 200,000

tonnes of British beef carcasses and 350,000 calves.

The UK Foods Standards Agency will provide a line of communication for all branches of food haulage, making advice easier to Come by for hauliers. Bratt suggests, According to the Ministry of Agriculture. the FSA will "take an overview of food safety and Standards across the whole food chain from farm to fork. with the main aim of protecting public health". The independent body will be able to suggest changes and new legislation to

dovernment. For example, it could investigate RSPCA

claims that crowded lorries car produce livestock covered by faeces, which can cause meat contamination by the deadly E.coii bacterium.


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