Manchester Port Health Authority

Although the Manchester Ship Canal is designated to receive third country imports of foods subject to Emergency Controls, there was no evidence that consignments of any imported foods had been received for many years. However, the Authority anticipated an expansion of the import trade which was likely to result in the arrival of food imports requiring inspection, sampling and control.

The Authority had recently begun to develop appropriate documented systems and procedures to underpin an imported food control service. These arrangements will need to be reviewed and revised regularly to ensure that they remain proportionate to any changes in trading patterns.

An effective system had been established for identifying food consignment arrivals, which included checks on all manifests and notification and liaison arrangements with relevant parties based on the Canal. The Authority�s officers had also begun to attend liaison group meetings with other similar port enforcement authorities.

There were currently no facilities available, were they to be needed, to inspect and sample food. Whilst this had not been a problem to date, it is essential that adequate facilities are established. This should be a priority, particularly with regard to maintaining the Canal's 'designation' status, and also because of the possibility that imported foods could be received at any time.

The audit also highlighted some issues relating to the authorisation of officers, including the process for delegating authority and the authorisation documents issued to officers. However, in general officers had received sufficient and appropriate training relevant to imported food control.