ACAF open meeting 23 September 2009

Tuesday 29 September 2009

The Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF) held its latest open meeting at the Agency's London headquarters on the 23 September 2009.

The committee was updated on work by the Agency to produce guidance to help farmers comply with the record-keeping requirements of the Feed Hygiene Regulation. The committee’s views were taken into account in producing the one-page leaflet. The leaflet will be subject to consultation with farming organisations and other interested parties.

An oral report was received on the outcome of the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) audit mission to the UK that took place between 16 and 26 June 2009. The FVO inspectors evaluated compliance with EC feed legislation and assessed the UK’s control systems for feed hygiene. Members were advised of the recommendations made in the FVO’s draft report and actions the Agency, together with other relevant departments, intended to take to address the FVO’s recommendations. The committee agreed to consider ways it can input into the Agency’s formal action plan.

An update was received on the outcome of a General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS) horizon scanning workshop held on 24 June 2009. The committee agreed to consider ideas from the workshop which it can take forward.

The Forward Workplan for 2009–10 was considered and agreed.

The next ACAF meeting is scheduled to take place at the Food Standards Agency’s headquarters in London on 3 December 2009. As usual, this will be an open meeting.