Response to DEFRA about the National Food Strategy etc
As stated in our last petition update, in relation to the independent Government National Food Strategy, chaired by Henry Dimbleby, we have now written to officials of the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) who are drafting advice to ministers and writing a white paper, to ask them to also include the issues surrounding foodborne illness.
The response which is far to long for this petition update can be found at:
https://www.ecoli-uk.com/cons.php?articleid=00000093
Whilst DEFRA and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are both saying they wish to see new Primary legislation in relation to food, we have to be mindful (Given my very limited knowledge of legislation) that under such parliamentary primary acts of law, secondary legislation under such acts can be introduced by Government Ministers or Departments.
This means that secondary legislation could in theory be introduced that the public in general terms do not agree with such as lowering our food safety standards.
An example of this would be DEFRA held a consultation on the use of genetic technologies in food earlier this year.
The public have previously raised their concerns in relation to the safety of genetically modified food and some which are now called genetically edited food.
Despite the DEFRA report into the results that were published in September this year (link below) indicating that the majority of the respondents were in favour in continuing to regulate genetic technologies and believed that in relation to genetically edited food there was a greater risk of harm to human Health or the environment.
DEFRA are continuing to press ahead with their plans to introduce genetically edited food with agreement of the FSA. Link below.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-to-unlock-power-of-gene-editing-unveiled
Both DEFRA and the FSA always used to say they wanted to hear from more people but in this DEFRA consultation report they appear to be dismissive of those who replied by supporting campaigns about Genetically Modified organisms (GMO’s).
In relation to any proposed legislation from either DEFRA and or the FSA we will have to wait until sometime hopefully in the new year.
More reasons why we need truly independent inspection and enforcement below.
An Illegal meat cutting operation was closed down at two hand car washing premises in Ludgershall, Wiltshire after Environmental Health Officers (EHO’s) from Wiltshire Council's Food and Safety team and a vet from the FSA found the garage was filthy, with oil, liquids and dog faeces on the floor and meat debris on the forecourt.
The food handlers were not able to wash their hands as there was no washing facilities and they were not wearing protective clothing such as aprons or gloves.
Link to the story below.
https://www.cieh.org/ehn/food-safety-integrity/2021/october/illegal-meat-cutting-operations-shut-down-following-raids/
Thank you for your continued help and support and stay safe.