Importance of the Elliott report for the agri-food

Importance of the Elliott report for the
agri-food economy on the island of Ireland
Prof Chris Elliott, Director, Institute for Global Food Security
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The Process
• Written Call for Evidence
• Site visits across many UK supply chains
• Attended and chaired multiple meetings with industry,
lawyers, government departments, consumer groups
• Visited all Devolved Administrations
• Visits to European Parliament, DG SANCO, Member States
Discussions with:
• Criminologists
• UK Police Forces
• National Crime Agency
• Europol, Interpol
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The Interim Report
Significant cultural changes in how industry & government think about food fraud –
FOOD CRIME as I refer to the practise of cheating in the supply of food
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The Process Part 2
• A fresh round of meetings with multiple stakeholders
• Collection of more evidence
• A series of cross government workshops
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Eight pillars of food integrity
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The Systems Approach
CONSUMER FIRST
Food safety and food crime to be given absolute priority over everything else
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The Systems Approach
ZERO TOLERANCE
No turning a blind eye to minor dishonesties – a change of business
practise and culture
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The Systems Approach
INTELLIGENCE GATHERING
A key role for government and industry to collect and share information with
each other
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The Systems Approach
LABORATORY TESTS
Sampling and testing must be conducted to the highest standards to ensure
appropriate and speedy action
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The Systems Approach
AUDIT
Auditing with emphasis to detect fraud to be introduced by industry & regulators
but not to overburden industry
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The Systems Approach
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Better working between government departments and a more
robust Food Standards Agency
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The Systems Approach
LEADERSHIP
Development of a dedicated Food Crime Unit
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The Systems Approach
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Clear roles and responsibilities if/when further evidence of food crime
comes to light.
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The Next Steps
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Post Elliott Review
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Warning!
There will be more scandals caused by
criminals perpetrating food fraud.
Opportunities are always being sought:
• Crop failures
• Price wars
• Currency fluctuations
• Political instability
• Ethical trading issues
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Risk Management Process
INDENTIFING HAZARDS
ASSOCIATED WITH RAW
MATERIALS AND FOOD
INGREDIENTS USED
WITHIN AGRI-FOOD
SECTORS
•Hazards identified:
•Microbiological;
•Chemical;
•Veterinary drug;
•Fraud
ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF
RISK ASSOCIATED WITH
EACH HAZARD
Level of Risk = ‘Likelihood
of hazard occurrence’ x
‘Hazard Severity’
• What hazards are most
likely to be found in an
ingredient based on the
country of origin
• Hazard Severity
PRIORITSING WHAT CAN
GO WRONG
(RISK RANKING)
Compare risk levels
Per ingredient:
• Determine primary,
secondary and tertiary
testing priorities
• Observe whether
risks are ↑/↓ (5 yrs)
in priority
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Food Fortress
Risk Based Monitoring Scheme in full operation in Northern Ireland
~100% Industry participation (47 companies)
University supports industry in updating and reviewing processes
The world’s most secure feed QA scheme
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Challenges Ahead
The 7 sins of Red Meat
1. Substitution of one species for another (horse, kangaroo, rat)
2. Substitution of one breed for another (Aberdeen Angus)
3. Substitution of one geographic origin for another (Brazilian for UK)
4. Part substitution of meat with offal (Ox heart)
5. Re-introduction of condemned meat back into the feed-food supply chain
6. Use of growth promoters (steroids/beta-agonists) to enhance growth rates
7. Addition of chemicals to extend shelf life
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Red meat industry is highly vulnerable
to fraudulent activity by criminal gangs
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Innovations in Traceability
High level traceability summit to be organised by QUB/safefood.
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Hormone –beta-agonist abuse
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Rapid Evaporative Ionization
Mass Spectrometry (REIMS)
The 7 sins test
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We have the technology
Do we have the will?
The will to develop the most robust,
transparent, safe and genuine meat
industry in the world?
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