Welsh Food Advisory Committee Directors Report 15 July 2021

WFAC 21/07/02    
FOR DISCUSSION

WELSH FOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE (WFAC) DIRECTOR’S REPORT 

Executive Summary

1.    The attached report from the Director of the FSA in Wales reports on issues of relevance which may be of interest to members of the Welsh Food Advisory Committee (WFAC), covering the period 10/06/21 to 15/07/21.

2.    The Director of the FSA in Wales will supplement the information provided in this report with an oral update where necessary.  

3.    Members of the Committee are invited to:

o    note the update; 
o    invite the Director to expand on any issues for further discussion.

Contact: Lucy Boruk
Lucy.Boruk@food.gov.uk 

 
WFAC 21/07/02    
FOR DISCUSSION
WFAC, FSA IN WALES DIRECTOR’S REPORT – July 2021

1    Welsh Government

1.1       An introductory meeting with Lynne Neagle MS, the newly appointed Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, took place on 23 June. FSA attendance included include Ruth Hussey, Susan Jebb, Peter Price, Emily Miles, Julie Pierce, Nathan Barnhouse, and Mark Thornton. This first meeting with the Minister provided the opportunity to formally introduce the FSA, and to discuss EU exit, COVID-19 recovery and the review of the FSA in Wales.  It was a positive meeting and a follow up is currently in preparation.  Further, as part of Susan Jebb’s induction, an introductory meeting is also being held with Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd. This has been arranged for 16 August.
  
1.2       The Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well Being recently announced that a review of the operation of the FSA in Wales is to be undertaken. Welsh Government officials have been asked to develop a specification for this review and appoint an independent team. Over the next few months the FSA in Wales, together with Senior Management across the FSA, will be working with Welsh Government officials to support the review. In announcing the review, the Minister acknowledged the expanded role of the FSA, following the UK’s transition out of the EU, and our responsibility for many of the functions previously carried out by the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority. She also recognised the significant role to be taken by the FSA to support local authorities in their recovery from COVID-19, to ensure the maintenance of high levels of food safety which are currently enjoyed. The review will engage a range of stakeholder views and will be overseen by a steering group, which will include the FSA. I will keep the Committee informed on the review.  

1.3     The   FSA in Wales’ Annual Report and Accounts for 2020-21 was laid before the Senedd on the 6 July. A full copy in both English and Welsh can be found at: https://senedd.wales/media/poikp0fm/agr-ld14426-e.pdf and 
https://senedd.cymru/media/2l4jkuam/agr-ld14426-w.pdf

2    Safe Sustainable Authentic Food Wales (SSAFW)

2.1     The main partnership group held its last meeting on 23 June.  Matthew Frankcom (Conwy County Borough Council) has stepped down as Chair. The process to elect a new Chair has commenced and an official from Welsh Government will oversee the nomination process. The next meeting of the main partnership is in September. The next meeting of the recovery sub group of SSAFW is being arranged for mid-July when  discussions will be held on replacing the recovery sub group with a roadmap review group.  

3.  Shellfish Exporting to the EU

3.1    I have reported previously on the classification of shellfish beds in the Menai.   We continue to liaise with Welsh Government officials on the water quality issue and any implications this have on the classification of beds.  I will provide an oral update on this matter at the meeting.  

4.    External Engagement

4.1    We continue to contribute to steering group meetings in relation to planning of the UK Global Food Safety Conference, that is due to take place on 13-15 October 2021. Save the date flyers will be circulated to all members. Information about the detail of the conference along with formal invites will be circulated in due course. 
4.2    Since the last meeting of WFAC (10/06/21) I have carried out the following engagement activity of which members may wish to be aware:

•    17 June- met with SRS to discuss recovery and other ongoing work. 
•    23 June- SSAFW meeting
•    6 July- Wales CMO Health Protection Advisory Group (HPAG)
•    14 July- Westminster Food and Nutrition Policy Conference- The future of food standards, safety and regulation in the UK.

5.    Information Sharing

5.1    Since the last meeting of the WFAC, the following information has been shared with members:

•    Consumer information on frozen chicken

•    Changes to working practices

•    Formal announcement of Susan Jebb, Chair of FSA

Nathan Barnhouse
Director, FSA in Wales
10 July 2021