Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Commission Publication (DG(SANTE) 2022-7493), 15 March 2023
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Final report of an audit of the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) from 13 to 21 June 2022 in order to evaluate the control of residues and contaminants in live animals and animal products The report can be downloaded from the Commission's web site (click on image). |
The following is the Executive Summary taken from the report:
This report describes the outcome of an audit of the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland), carried out from 13 to 21 June 2022 as part of the European Commission's DirectorateGeneral for Health and Food Safety’s planned work programme.
The objective of the audit was to evaluate the monitoring of residues of veterinary medicinal products, pesticides and contaminants in live animals and animal products.
The audit focused on the legal and administrative measures in place to implement the relevant European Union (EU) requirements – given that EU law is applicable in the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland by virtue of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland to the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU - and on the performance of the competent authorities in meeting those requirements. Attention was paid to residue monitoring in two commodities with large production volumes in Northern Ireland (cattle and pigs) and one commodity with limited production (farmed game).
The report concludes that overall, the planning of residue monitoring in the main production species/commodities is risk-based and comprehensive in scope. Implementation of the plan is effective for the major farmed species notwithstanding the improvements that could be made by utilising targeted, as opposed to random, sampling for several commodities. Supplementary testing programmes for suspect cases contribute positively to assurances on food safety and the follow-up of non-compliant results is particularly effective.
With regard to laboratory testing, the main testing laboratory in Northern Ireland is well-equipped and, for the most part, well-functioning. Nevertheless, gaps in the validation of some analytical methods and associated shortcomings in quality control as well as ambiguity on its accreditation and consequent designation status as an official control laboratory pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/625, undermine aspects of the residue control system in Northern Ireland.
The report contains five recommendations aimed at rectifying the shortcomings identified and enhancing the control measures in place
The following are also available from the Commission web site:
