Standards must not slip in recession, says food body

THE RECESSION should not be a reason for food producers or regulators to allow standards to slip as Ireland needs to protect its standing on the world food stage more than ever, the chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said yesterday.

Prof Alan Reilly said Ireland had developed a sophisticated food safety inspectorate team which was considered world class and that the asset should continue to be advanced so emerging food issues could be addressed.

“It is a national asset that, through protecting consumers’ health in relation to food, the food safety inspectorate is also providing a valuable spin off in protecting Ireland’s reputation internationally,” he said.

At a conference marking 10 years of the authority, Prof Reilly said the food sector had an output of some €20 billion annually, employed more than 100,000 people and was responsible for over €8 billion in exports. He said maintaining confidence in the sector at home and abroad was crucial and that it cost only €10 million annually for the authority to fulfil its obligations.

One of 30 rationalisations of State agencies proposed in last year’s budget was the amalgamation of the authority, the Office of Tobacco Control and the Irish Medicines Board into a Public Health and Medicines Safety Authority.

Following the announcement, the Consumers Association of Ireland said it was vital the safety authority’s visibility was not lost in an amalgamation and expressed concern the merger might reduce its scientific capability.

Minister for Health Mary Harney told journalists at the conference that it was important the authority, given its independent role, was “not in any way compromised in any new body” and that its distinct role was protected.

“The idea was that by bringing the organisations together, we could reduce many of the administrative costs and back office overheads,” she said. “That’s the purpose . . . but I want to do it in a way that does not compromise the important role it has to set standards, uphold those standards and educate in the area of safe food.”

A number of international speakers addressed the conference. Among them were Dr Jørgen Schlundt of the World Health Organisation and the European Commission director general of health Dr Robert Madelin.

Dr Schlundt said last year’s Irish pork dioxin crisis was well handled by the Irish authorities.

He said a Belgian government fell 10 years ago over a contaminated food scandal but that the problems with pork here had been addressed the right way.

Dr Madelin said GM foods posed a risk to food safety and that health claims associated with other products would be clarified.