September 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference examines key issues for the future of food regulation.
The discussion at a glance:
- future regulatory systems in the UK - options, and the impact of future trade deals, and adapting and responding to COVID-19 at a national and local level
- local regulation and enforcement
- the Food Standards Agency’s Regulating our Future programme - aimed at creating a more modern, flexible, and responsive regulatory system
- what more can be done to support local authorities
- catering for an evolving and increasingly diverse and innovative sector
- the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its wider impact on the regulatory landscape
The discussion in detail:
Developing the regulatory system - accounting for risk, accessibility for stakeholders, and enabling early intervention
- a risk-based approach - the practicalities of reform
- accessibility - what more can be done to scale up online registration and overcome some of the issues faced by business, including producing evidence of compliance
- data - the potential role for the FSA’s risk engine and other approaches - segmenting businesses upon registration, with regulatory controls tailored to specific food safety risks
- technology - to help meet future challenges and alert regulators to possible areas of concern, coupled with data analytics
Financial sustainability of the regulatory system
- a long term funding model - next steps for development
- widening cross-government support
- passing the costs to businesses - the implications
Enforcement at a local level
- Primary Authority National Inspection Strategies - further development following the initial pathfinder programmes, such as in Wakefield Council
- priorities for local authorities - ensuring the are able to focus on poorly performing businesses
- support for local authorities - what more can be done to help them cater to an evolving and increasingly diverse and innovative sector
- the COVID-19 response - and lessons that have been learned and can be carried forward
Trading relationships and the future of regulation
- UK ports - priorities for maintaining health standards and customs checks
- the impact of possible regulatory changes - on the relationship between the UK and the countries it trades with
- regulatory cooperation - maximising opportunities cross-border and across the UK
The context at a glance:
COVID-19
- contingency plans around the meat industry
- FSA guidance for industry and the public - on food business responsibilities and best practice, operational and manufacturing safety, allergen labelling, and risks
International trade, and food and environmental standards
- regulatory alignment - rejection by the Government as trade talks continue with the EU
- UK food standards - government commitments that they will not be jeopardised in trade
- additional support for the food industry - including plans to increase trading opportunities with markets such as Japan, the US, New Zealand and Australia - announced by DIT and Defra
Food safety and regulatory reform
- the NAO Ensuring food safety and standards report - which raised concerns including regarding the future financial sustainability of the regulatory system
- Smarter rules for safer food - Defra’s announcement that SRSF regulations will continue to apply to the UK
- creating a fairer supply chain and protecting dairy farmers - with Defra consulting on new strategies and regulations
- risk analysis - the FSA outlining a revised science and evidence-based process for regulated products, health risks of genetically modified foods, and food production following the transition period
The agenda:
- Analysing the implementation of new regulatory systems, responding to changing need during the pandemic, and preparing for the future trading relationship with the EU and more widely
- Ensuring value for money in food safety and standards
- Key issues for food regulation and enforcement at a local level - adapting to COVID-19, supporting local authorities and food businesses, and ensuring safety
- Cross border collaboration and regulatory cooperation
- Priorities for the regulatory system - supporting consumers and food businesses adapting their offering through the pandemic, food standards, and the impact of future trading relationship options
Policy officials attending:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.
It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, and officials from Defra; DHSC; the Food Standards Agency; the National Audit Office; the Department for International Trade; DFID; the Department of Foreign Affairs; Crown Commercial Services; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ROI; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Food Standards Scotland and the Welsh Government.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
