London Borough of Hounslow

The Authority had only recently started to carry out imported food checks at Heathrow Airport. Arrangements to identify imported food consignments at Hounslow's main cargo shed had been established and some preliminary work had been carried out to identify imported foods at the Enhanced Remote Transit Sheds (ERTS) within Hounslow. Liaison arrangements were also in place with neighbouring enforcement authorities. However, better liaison and notification arrangements were needed with local customs officers (HMCE), ERTS operators, importers and local agents. Improved liaison/notification would provide more comprehensive and routine information on the amount and nature of NPOAO imports, ensuring that imported food checks can be based on risk.

The Authority had not developed a Service Plan that addressed imported food controls and had not identified the resources necessary to carry out the imported food control function. There was no evidence that the imported food control service had been considered by Members.

Where appropriate, a formal approach to imported food controls had been adopted and these arrangements were generally working well. In addition, it was clear that officers were identifying and dealing properly with illegal imports found on sale inland within the Borough. Record keeping was poor, however, and not all imported food checks were being recorded.

A recent major sampling initiative on imported food had been carried out in conjunction with a neighbouring authority, but appropriate follow- up action had not been taken on adverse results.

Officers were well supported in terms of training but records in this area were poor. Although, in practice, officers were acting in accordance with their qualifications and training, the Authority's authorisation scheme needed some amendment to ensure that all officers were properly authorised.

No internal monitoring of imported food control activities was being carried out and this needed to be introduced to ensure that work instructions and procedures are made available to staff and are followed when relevant.