Proposed FSA strategy for 2010 to 2015

While focused on delivering the commitments in our current Strategic Plan, the Agency must also continue to look ahead, anticipate and plan for the future. We are now developing our next five-year Strategic Plan for the period 2010 to 2015.

The FSA was created in 2000 as a non-ministerial Government department governed by a Board appointed to act in the public interest, with the task of protecting consumers in relation to food (For more details on how we operate, see our annual report - link provided below). We are a UK-wide body with our main offices in London, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Belfast and York, employing over 2000 staff (1200 of these work within the Meat Hygiene Service). We have a budget of £162 million (for 2008/09).

In this consultation we are unveiling our proposals for the strategic direction for the Agency to 2015. This will lead to a set of priorities for action that not only reflect the changing environment in which we work, but also the progress we have made in key areas of activity to date and where we believe we can continue to make a real impact on public health in the UK.

We recognise the importance of collaborative working with partners and stakeholders to develop the best possible outcomes for all people in the UK. We want our strategy to be developed and shared with those partners and stakeholders who have a role and interest in delivering food safety and other public health outcomes. It is only through good working partnerships and stakeholder engagement that we can meet our objective of protecting UK consumers from unsafe food, and continue to play a leading role in improving the health of the nation through encouraging consumers to make informed choices about eating healthily.

The Agency’s core values are key to our success and these will continue within our new strategy. Our core values are:

• putting the consumer first
• openness
• independence
• being science and evidence-based

We have embarked on a substantial change programme called 'One Agency' that sets out to ensure the FSA and MHS are equipped to meet future challenges. Our new strategy is an important programme of work within One Agency, along with programmes supporting improved delivery, culture and structure. In developing our proposals for 2010 to 2015 we are being realistic about our resources, and we are using an evidence-based approach to support prioritisation of our activities, as well as making efficiency savings in how we work. Our final Strategic Plan will indicate the resources that will be needed to achieve our plans.

As well as this consultation package, we are planning feedback events with stakeholders; we will also continue to meet with stakeholders over the consultation period and beyond.

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation, which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.

We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the consultation feedback questionnaire.

Consultation feedback questionnaire (Word)

Consultation feedback questionnaire (pdf)

In accordance with the FSA principle of openness our Information Centre at Aviation House will hold a copy of the completed consultation. The FSA will publish a summary of responses, which may include personal data, such as your full name. Disclosure of any other personal data would be made only upon request for the full consultation responses. If you do not want this information to be released, please complete and return the Publication of Personal Data Form. Return of this form does not mean that we will treat your response to the consultation as confidential, just your personal data.

Data protection form (Word)

Data protection form (pdf)

Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator by email: consultationcoordinator@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk