The DG SANTE approach to evaluate food safety control systems in Member States and non EU countries Stefan Hönig Directorate-General (DG SANTE) Directorate F, food audits and analysis Unit F1: Food The context Economic and Financial Affairs Environment Agriculture and Rural Development Energy Budget Trade Union civil service Others.. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Directorate A Directorate B DG SANTE Directorate C Directorate D Directorate E Directorate F Directorate G
Who we are A directorate of the Directorate General for Food Safety Directorate F- Food audits and analysis is based in Ireland at Grange, Co. Meath It comprises approximately 170 staff It carries out around 250 audit or other missions per year, of which about 1/3 are in non-eu countries. Reports are published and available at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/fvo/index_en.htm Areas of activity Food and feed safety Food quality Animal health and welfare Plant health Farm to Fork In Member States, candidate countries and non-eu countries since 2013: Medical devices and active pharmaceutical ingredients From 2016 Clinical trials
What we do Ø Carry out audits of Member States, candidate countries and non EU-countries. Ø Report on audit findings (publicly). Ø Make recommendations to competent authorities (CA) to address identified shortcomings. Ø Follow up on the recommendations and corrective actions announced/undertaken by CAs. Ø Contribute to policy development and management within the. Purpose of our audits Ø To assess the CA's performance both in the delivery of systems to ensure that standards are met and in their effective enforcement Ø To assess the operation of these systems in practice to verify on-thespot delivery: establishments incl. farms, handling and storage sites, laboratories etc. Ø To assess the animal/plant health situation and related controls, as appropriate Ø To verify that Member States are compliant with EU law Ø To determine whether non-eu countries can provide reliable guarantees that commodities intended for export to the EU meet the EU requirements
How do we do it? à System audits Is there a system in place? NO WHY? WHY?! So what? YES NO WHY? Can it work? YES NO Does it work? YES Where are we in the process? Regulation 178/2002 General FOOD LAW, Art. 17 : description of the responsibilities
Role of the, Dir F Inter alia: Contribute to a level playing field in Member States Promoting the EU food safety system in non EU countries Help to improve legislation and its implementation Giving guidance: Guidelines, Better training for safer food Contribute to food safety all along the food chain Scientific risk assessment Providing communication tools on food safety: RASFF 27.09.2016 Role of the Member State CA s Establishing risk based control systems to ensure compliance with the legal requirements on food safety Taking enforcement measures in case of non compliances Giving guidance in cooperation with FBO s, Contribute to the further development of legislation Scientific risk assessment Contribute to a level playing field within the Member State 27.09.2016
Role of the food business operator Taking measures on food safety at his step of the food chain (own check systems, external controls on his behalf etc.) Taking measures in case of non conformities (communication, mitigating measures, measures to avoid non conformity in the future) 27.09.2016 Thank You