Time for Government to “tighten” its commitment to food safety - Rennie
December 10, 2008 1:48 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats
In the wake of Ireland's decision to recall all Irish-produce pork products after it was revealed that they may contain dangerous level of containments, MP Willie Rennie has demanded that the Government "tighten up" food quality checks by increasing their support for public analysts, who were responsible for identifying the contamination.
Public analysts in Ireland successfully enforced the recall of all Irish-produced pork products after identifying contaminated animal feed had infected pig products.Willie Rennie MP
Mr Rennie has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling for the Government to review the funding arrangements for public analysts following the closure of 11 public analyst labs within the last thirteen years.
Commenting Mr Rennie said; "It's important that we don't overreact to the situation. The British Food Standards Agency have made it clear that they don't believe British consumers are at significant risk; but it's important that we don't simply forget about the experience and brush it under the carpet.
"A recall of this size just shows how a quickly a problem like this can spread without a comprehensive framework of food quality checks.
"Pubic analysts are an essential part of the local network of food safety checks that provide the data for council trading standards departments to monitor the nutritional quality of food.
"Despite the Government making loud noises about promoting quality produce; they have barely coughed up a murmur of support for the public analysts who are responsible for protecting the health of consumers.
"With only 24 public analyst labs remaining, it's high time that the Government tighten up its commitment to food safety and conduct an immediate review of funding arrangements for public analysts."
Early Day Motion: Support for Public Analysts
That this House notes the importance of public analysts as part of the wider framework of food quality checks; recognises the crucial role of public analysts in Ireland and Northern Ireland by enforcing the recall of all Irish-produced pork products after they identified animal feed contaminated with the harmful toxins had infected pig products; notes with concern that 11 public analysts labs have closed in the last thirteen years; is alarmed that there are currently only 24 public analysts labs left; is deeply concerned that poor funding means that the wider public health role of the public analysts is in danger despite the increasing demand by consumers for better quality goods; and calls on the Government to conduct a review of the arrangements for the funding of public analysts to ensure that food quality and safety is not compromised by spending restrictions.
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