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IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL NEIL BEEKEN PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER COMMERCIAL SECTION GRIMSBY & IMMINGHAM BORDER INSPECTION POST IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL • The role of Environmental Health in the importation of foodstuffs & other products of animal origin IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL • Two distinct regimes 1. Products of Animal Origin (POAO) 2. Other Products (PNOAO) Human Consumption & Non Human Consumption IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL POAO • Human Consumption e.g. Fish, Meat, Dairy, Honey & associated “composite” products • Non Human Consumption e.g. Petfood, Wool, Hides & Skins, Fishmeal IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL POAO – Rigidly regulated • • • • • Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) Approved Establishments Health Certification for consignments Competent Authority CVED & TRACES IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL 2500 2000 1500 POAO HC POAO NHC 1000 500 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 to date IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL Principal Countries CHINA CANADA SOUTH AFRICA INDONESIA RUSSIA ICELAND THAILAND VIETNAM IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL BIP Status OPTIMUM – CHILLED, AMBIENT, FROZEN (HC & NHC) GY/IMM BIP – FROZEN (HC), AMBIENT (NHC) The status is largely dictated by the available detention facilities. IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL Consignment Checking Regime • • • • • • • Notification of daily arrivals from ABP Individual ship manifests from agents Consignments of interest highlighted Documents deposited at BIP by agents Exam arranged Exam carried out Documents certified & CVED issued IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL EU Special Measures – fishery products CHINA - CHLORAMPHENICOL (2004) Absolute ban moving to 100% physical checks – consignment on positive release INDONESIA - HEAVY METALS & HISTAMINE (2006-present) 100% physical checks - consignment on positive release IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES OF GRIMSBY / IMMINGHAM BIP IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL STRENGTHS • Excellent working relationships with stakeholders – hauliers, importers, import agents, ABP • 24 hour response time • Minimum legal charges imposed • Knowledgeable & practical staff IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL WEAKNESSES • Ageing facilities • Current approval status limits potential trade • 22 mile round trip for every consignment • Recruitment & retention issues IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL PNOAO • Entire range of foodstuffs accepted • Raw / Processed / Packaged TRADE IN 2006 Average 7 consignments per month: Fruit & Veg Alcohol Canned Goods Mineral Water Sweets IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL PNOAO No restriction upon status of port with regard to accepting consignments except… Nuts & Figs Sudan I Konjac IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL SUMMARY • • • • • Most activity directed towards POAO Mostly fishery products intended for further processing at local factories POAO – frozen HC, ambient NHC PNOAO – few constraints, many opportunities Highly regulated area – pragmatic, positive attitude