Foodlaw-Reading

Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK

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Food Law News - UK - 2017

House of Commons Select Committee News, 17 November 2017

HYGIENE - HoC Select Committee: 2 Sisters and Standards in Poultry Processing report published

Environment, Foods and Rural Affairs Committee publishes report into 2 Sisters Food Group and Standards in Poultry Processing as Ranjit Singh Boparan confirms wide-ranging food standards commitments in writing.

Inquiry into 2 Sisters and poultry standards

The Committee launched an inquiry into 2 Sisters and poultry standards following the undercover footage released by The Guardian and ITN.

The evidence sessions looked at the issues raised at the 2 Sisters plant and the role and performance of the Food Standards Agency, Sandwell Metropolitan Council and accreditation bodies.

It also explored the potential ramifications of the allegations made against 2 Sisters for the poultry sector and the wider food chain.

Report findings

The report notes:

"wakeup call for all accreditation firms"

Neil Parish MP, Chair, said:

"Our inquiry should serve as a wakeup call for all accreditation firms and cause them to improve their processes and remove any loopholes that may exist, not just those discovered through our inquiry

Food supply chains are sensitive and easy to disrupt when retailers and consumers lose confidence in food quality or safety. Large producers and retailers have a responsibility to protect, rather than undermine, the UK’s food producers."

Letter from Ranjit Singh Boparan

Ranjit Singh Boparan wrote to the Committee on 10 November, confirming in writing the commitments he made to the Environment, Foods and Rural Affairs Committee during his hearing. These commitments are:

Neil Parish MP, Chair, said:

"We are pleased that Mr Boparan has written to the Committee and restated his commitment to improving standards at Two Sisters’ production facilities. The commitments are on the public record and we will be closely monitoring their implementation with a view to investigating further if required.

It is important that consumers in both the UK and in our vital export markets feel confident in the quality of our food standards. We have made it quite clear that we take his assurances very seriously. We will be closely monitoring their implementation."

The following are links to pages on the Parliament website:

A full copy of the report in pdf format is available from the Parliament website (click on image)

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