| |
Organisation |
Roles and responsibilities |
| APHA |
Association of Port Health Authorities |
Primary objective of preventing the introduction into the
country of dangerous epidemic, contagious and infectious diseases
and ensuring the wholesomeness of imported food. Membership of the
Association is open to any local authority or other body with a
port, airport, land frontier or customs clearance depot in its
district. |
| CIEH |
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health |
A professional and educational body involved in the promotion
of environmental health and the training and the work of
environmental health professionals. The CIEH has approximately
9,800 members world-wide, the majority being located in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland. As well as providing services and
information to its members, the CIEH also advises government
departments on environmental health and is consulted by them on
proposed legislation relevant to the work of environmental health
professionals. |
| DEFRA |
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
Government Department responsible for policy issues relating to
imports of products of animal origin (meat, meat products, dairy
products, honey etc.), plants and plant products. |
| DHI |
Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate |
DHI is responsible for the protection of the nation's raw milk
supply from the risk of contamination by bacteria and other
substances, some of which are potentially harmful. They ensure a
satisfactory standard of hygiene is maintained on farms in England
and Wales, which is of benefit to the farmer and the general
public. The DHI acts on behalf of the FSA administering and
enforcing schedules 1, 3 and 7 of the Dairy Products (Hygiene)
Regulations 1995 SI No.1086, as amended, under Council directive
92/46/EEC. |
| EMI |
Egg Marketing Inspectorate |
An Inspectorate within DEFRA responsible for checking standards
in egg production, packing and distribution centres. EMI works
throughout England and Wales, wherever eggs are produced, graded,
packed, imported, exported, bought or sold. Scotland and Northern
Ireland have their own Inspectors. For further information on egg
marketing in the devolved regions, you should contact the relevant
agricultural department. |
| FSA |
Food Standards Agency |
Responsible for public health aspects of food imported into the
UK. The Agency has particular responsibility for policy issues for
imports of fishery products, shellfish, and food, which is not of
animal origin. The agency has responsibilities for assisting and
co-ordinating local enforcement activities of local authorities
both inland and at ports in this aspect of their duties. |
| FVO |
Food and Veterinary Office |
Primary task is to ensure that Community legislation on food
safety, animal health; plant health and animal welfare is properly
implemented and enforced. Part of its role is to check on
compliance with the requirements of EU food safety and quality,
veterinary and plant health legislation within the EU and in third
countries exporting to the EU. |
| HMR&C |
Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs |
Government Department responsible for detecting smuggled goods
(including meat, animal products and fish) at the ports and
airports (except in areas designated as Border Inspection Posts).
They may occasionally operate inland if investigating criminally
organised illegal imports of products of animal origin (POAO). They
retain responsibility for postal imports whether at sorting
offices, ports or airports and for enforcing the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Customs are not
responsible for controlling intra-EU movements except where they
have not been subject to Customs control elsewhere in the EU. |
| HMI |
Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate |
An Inspectorate within DEFRA that are responsible for the
enforcement of the EC Marketing Standards for fresh fruit,
vegetables, salad crops, nuts, flowers and bulbs throughout England
and Wales, wherever fresh produce is grown, imported, exported,
bought or sold. |
| LACORS |
Local Authority Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services |
The local government central body that co-ordinates the
enforcement activities of environmental health and trading
standards services, including food enforcement. |
| MHRA |
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency |
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (formerly
MCA - Medicines Control Agency). The Executive Agency of the
Department of Health protecting and promoting public health and
patient safety by ensuring that medicines, healthcare products and
medical equipment meet appropriate standards of safety, quality,
performance and effectiveness, and are used safely. |
| MHS |
Meat Hygiene Service (Executive Agency of FSA) |
Meat Hygiene Service, Executive Agency of the FSA, an
independent enforcement agency providing a meat inspection
service. |
| PHSI |
Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate |
An Inspectorate within DEFRA that carries out import and export
inspections. It also undertakes work on seed certification and
enforcement. |
| PSD |
Pesticides Safety Directorate (Executive Agency of DEFRA) |
An Executive Agency of DEFRA established to evaluate and
process applications for approval of pesticide products for use in
Great Britain and to provide advice to Government on pesticides
policy. |
| SITPRO |
Formerly 'The Simpler Trade Procedures Board' |
SITPRO is one of the Non-Departmental Public Bodies for which
the Department of Trade and Industry has responsibility. It
receives a grant-in-aid from the DTI. SITPRO is dedicated to
encouraging and helping business trade more effectively and to
simplify the international trading process. Its focus is the
procedures and documentation associated with international
trade. |
| SVS |
State Veterinary Service |
The State Veterinary Service has a presence in most busy ports
and airports. They are able to support other enforcement bodies and
provide a line of communication with DEFRA HQ. They are also able
to provide advice on identifying products and can advise on
disposal arrangements, disinfecting etc. The State Veterinary
Service are responsible for veterinary checks on products of animal
origin at Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) that take only products
not for human consumption. |
| VMD |
Veterinary Medicines Directorate |
Executive agency of DEFRA responsible for enforcement relating
to veterinary medicines. Provide guidance and authorisations on the
importation of veterinary medicines. |
