Support for a Scottish food standards body

The creation of a standalone food standards body in Scotland has been supported by MSPs on the Health and Sport Committee.

The Food (Scotland) Bill proposes that the current Food Standards Agency 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.

In a report published last week, MSPs call for greater detail on the proposed research functions of Food Standards Scotland and how these functions will relate to UK-funded research bodies. The report also highlights significant opportunities for the new body to gain from European funding streams including Horizon 2020, and the Committee has requested more detail in relation to how these funding opportunities can be exploited.

The new agency will 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. Whilst supportive of the principle, the Committee is calling on the Scottish government to consider establishing an appeals process for the new sanctions.

Convener of the Committee, Duncan McNeil MSP, says, “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.”

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