FSA Board Meeting - December 2024: Agenda and Papers

Rebecca Sudworth, Emma Barton and Joshua Ravenhill introduce a paper outlining the context for proposals, a progress report on reforms, improvements to the market authorisation process, an update on the recently announced Regulatory Sandbox for Cell Cultivated Products (CCPs), and next steps for reform of market authorisations.

FSA 24/12/06 - Market Authorisation Service Progress Update

11:30 – CBD Novel Food Applications (FSA 24/12/07)

Rebecca Sudworth and Thomas Vincent introduce a paper setting the key issues under consideration and the principles upon which they will be based.

FSA 24/12/07 - CBD Novel Food Applications

11:45 - National Food Crime Unit – Annual Update (FSA 24/12/08)

Andrew Quinn introduces a report detailing the activities and achievements of the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) from the period of December 2023 to October 2024.

FSA 24/12/08 - National Food Crime Unit – Annual Update

12:15 - Annual Communications Update (FSA 24/12/09)

Claire Forbes provides an update on the work of the FSA’s communications team.

FSA 24/12/09 - Annual Communications Update

12:45 - Break

13:30 - Annual Governance Report (FSA 24/12/10)

Timothy Riley, Deputy Chair of the FSA Board, introduces a paper outlining the recommendations from the Board Effectiveness Review and the Terms of Reference and Standing Orders for the Board and its Committees.

FSA 24/12/10 - Annual Governance Report

13:50 - Report from the Chair of the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (FSA 24/12/11)

Anthony Harbinson, FSA Board Member for Northern Ireland and Chair of the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee, introduces a report on the activity of the Committee from the period December 2023 to November 2024.

FSA 24/12/11 - Report from the Chair of the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee

14:05 - Report from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (INFO 24/12/01)

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC), Anthony Harbinson, presents a report from the ARAC meeting that took place on 26 November 2024.

INFO 24/12/01 - Report from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

14:15 - Report from the Chair of the Business Committee (INFO 24/12/02)

The Chair of the Business Committee, Timothy Riley, presents a report from the Business Committee meeting that took place on 2 December 2024.

INFO 24/12/02 - Report from the Chair of the Business Committee

14:25 - Reports from the Chairs of the Food Advisory Committees.(Oral Reports)

The Chairs of the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (NIFAC), Anthony Harbinson, and the Wales Food Advisory Committee (WFAC), Rhian Hayward, deliver oral updates from the recent meetings of the two Committees.

14:30 - Any Other Business

14:35 – End of Meeting

Questions to the FSA Board

We are keen to ensure, as far as is practical, that questions are addressed in the discussion at the Board meeting. Notwithstanding discussions on the day, all questions will receive a written reply within 20 working days of the meeting.

Please note questions are listed below in the order in which they were received.

Question 1: Market Authorisations Service

From: Celia Beverton

I want to know why Bill Gates is being allowed to add to our milk supply with a chemical whereby supermarkets Aldi Morrisons Tesco and others to supply their milk without our authority or rights.

Question 2: Evaluation of the Meat Charging Regime

From: Peter Hewson, Veterinary Director, AIMS

AIMS, the industry body that represents the majority of slaughterhouses in England and Wales, is disappointed that the most important issue it raised in response to the call for evidence on the impact of discounts on charges for official controls for meat has not been included in board paper FSA 24/12/05. The issue is that the Official Controls Regulation (OCR) and the Meat (Official Controls Charges) (England) Regulations 2009, as amended, restrict the costs that can be included in the official controls charge to those listed in Article 81 of the OCR. Guidance on the implementation of the OCR makes clear that the Agency is including other costs that cannot be included when calculating the official controls charge. One example is the cost of verification of the correct performance of official controls by employed and contracted staff. Will the Agency confirm that when calculating the official controls charge for 2025/26, it will include only those costs listed in Article 81 of the OCR, and it will provide the high level of transparency that Article 85 requires in a breakdown of those costs?

Question 3: CBD Novel Food Applications

From: Devina Sankhla, Food Policy Advisor, British Retail Consortium (BRC)

When will the FSA develop a notification process for rejected applications, so it is clear to stakeholders on which rejections have been removed from the public register? This can be a simple process of a timely note to relevant trade organisations which can disseminate information to their members.

FSA Board Meeting - December 2024: Agenda and Papers

09:00 – Chair’s Introduction

09:20 - Chief Executive’s Report to the Board (FSA 24/12/03)

09:50 - National Level Regulation (FSA 24/12/04)

10:20 - Evaluation of the Meat Charging Discount Regime (FSA 24/12/05)

10:50 – Break

11:10 - Market Authorisation Service Progress Update (FSA 24/12/06)