Southampton City Council

The Authority had effective systems in place to identify all declared consignments of food and feeding stuffs and for checking all manifests. It was evident that the active and risk based approach to the inspection and sampling of imported foods had enabled the routine detection of illegally imported and hazardous food. Effective follow-up action was being taken where non compliant foods were identified.

Well organised arrangements were in place to ensure that there was effective 24 hour, 7 day per week cover at the Port. There were good facilities for the inspection and sampling of imported food and feeding stuffs, and all relevant equipment had been provided.

Extensive and appropriate liaison arrangements were in place, both locally with port operators and nationally with enforcement authorities and other relevant bodies. The Authority was diligent in making appropriate notifications to government departments in relation to illegal imports and also to foods identified and dealt with at the Port, which may have wider food safety implications.

The Service was linked into an electronic control system which provided an effective and practical means of holding consignments.

The detention notice procedure, that was used to place detention holds on consignments after examination of containers, was not in accordance with the statutory process and required review.

The Council's scheme of delegation and the arrangements for officer authorisation required clarification to ensure that all officers are appropriately authorised to enforce relevant imported food legislation.

The Authority needed to further develop routine contact arrangements with relevant agencies at Southampton Airport, especially handling agents, and HM Customs and Excise, in order to ensure that the Service was aware of any third country imports and consignments that may not have received prior inspection on point of entry to the European Union (T1) arriving at this point of entry.

The Authority had a variety of activities in place to advise businesses on imported food control requirements. Extensive liaison arrangements both locally with port operators and nationally with enforcement authorities and other relevant bodies, included the Authority's contribution to national training programmes on imported food work.