At today's Westminster Food and Nutrition Keynote Seminar, The future of food regulation in the UK post-Brexit: standards, delivery and the supply chain, 24th April 2018, Aled Jones, a dairy farmer from Wales, prides himself on the knowledge that the food that leaves his farm is produced to the highest standard.  It's something that he cares deeply about, so deeply in fact that his farm is a member of a scheme that goes above and beyond current requirements.  Following his election as Deputy President of NFU Cymru, his eldest son stepped-up to take over the day-to-day running of the farm, so that he could devote himself fully to the role. 

"A system that can demonstrate that it protects consumers, a system that benefits responsible and compliant food businesses, and applies proportionate enforcement if and when necessary.”

Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive, Food Standards Scotland

It is a great asset to have conscientious suppliers at the heart of the discussion on the future of food regulation.   In particular, to ensure the preservation of the UKs reputation as an international leader in food regulation post-Brexit. With Brexit fast approaching, there is increasing pressure for a robust system for food regulation to be ready for implementation.  Heather Hancock, Chair of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), recognises that this must be a "Day One" arrangement.  Countries importing food from UK suppliers will demand this.  Post-Brexit, the 95% of food regulations currently set at EU level will transfer to the UK. The FSA is working with other Government departments to draft necessary secondary legislation.  The intention is to create an equivalent regulatory regime with 21st Century regulation.

In future, businesses will join enhanced Registration and National Inspection schemes.  The registration process that is being designed is straight-forward, to assist access to the process, with the registration form being described as similar to those provided by the DVLA.  A Beta version is currently being tested, which will be rolled out soon.  Heather Hancock stated that there will be no cost to food businesses for registration.

A comparative regulatory system will be required for the Catering sector, which is currently unregulated.  At present, catering suppliers will often pay for third-party food inspections (up to four per year).  According to Dr Lisa Ackerley, Food Safety Adviser of the British Hospitality Association, these reports contain valuable data not currently available to food authorities. 

Dr Ackerley emphasised that a single industry standard will be required under the new regime, but there will need to be an incentive for businesses to join.  Extensive and restrictive accreditation schemes will not make the scheme sustainable.  Local Authorities will be tasked with the responsibility of verifying, enforcing and using data to help gain an insight of business standards. 

The introduction of such a scheme to the Catering sector could have implications for school canteens, who currently work to the set of standards set out by the School Food Plan, which came into effect in January 2015.  One London-based school taking initiative as a result of that reform is Charlton Manor, who are piloting a scheme to incorporate food education into the curriculum. 

Opportunities for Innovation

As with other sectors currently undergoing reform, the possibility to put technology at the core of the new food regulation regime is being investigated. Dr Richard Hyde, Associate Professor in Law at the University of Nottingham proposed a future where technology not only facilitates making information accessible, but where it helps to translate the information available.  It may be that, similar to open kitchens in restaurants, technology will facilitate open factories, giving consumers access like never before.

A tool that is currently being developed with a view to playing a key role in the future of food regulation is Blockchain technology.  The data recorded in each block is encrypted, making it secure, with sections of information being carried forward into each new chain, which makes it very difficult to cheat.  It would enable verification of labelling, testing has shown it to be quick and accessible, and could potentially lead to a reduction in fraud. 

Sian Edmunds, Partner at Burges Salmon, noted the potential usefulness of Blockchain technology in the event of future food scares.  It may provide the facility to trace problems where safety issues have arisen and businesses who are not affected could be exonerated.  However, she pointed out that there are legal considerations that have yet to be resolved, such as who owns the data and who will be obliged to supply data. 

Another key area of innovation post-Brexit is the potential for compulsory front-of-pack traffic light labelling.  Stephen Pugh, EU Food Labelling Specialist, highlighted that there is an opportunity for the UK to lead in this area if it is made mandatory.  The chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is currently leading the Newcastle Can campaign in collaboration with Newcastle City Council.  The aim of the project is to tackle health and obesity by encouraging communities to work together to achieve health and fitness goals. 

A letter to Jeremy Hunt posted on the Newcastle Can website asks:

"Will the government commit to making front-of-pack traffic light labelling compulsory?"

You can read Hugh's letter to Jeremy Hunt here: https://www.newcastlecan.com/letter

The Impact for the Consumer

Dr Hyde highlighted the fact that consumers are limited to the amount of information they can process.  There is the potential for technology to give businesses an advantage in areas of consumer choice. As consumers become increasingly conscientious about where their food comes from, the facility to verify the food supply chain would be a considerable development. 

According to Sue Davies, Strategic Policy Adviser at Which?, there are high expectations from consumers about the level of checks that take place.  Consumers are confused about food standards regulation, but public expectation is that standards will increase post-Brexit. The possibility of having a two-tier system (both domestic and international) does not hold much weight with Government or the general public.  It could potentially create an opportunity for a deterioration of standards.  As Geoff Ogle stated, "Having two systems means that there is more opportunity [for things] to go wrong."

As Stephen Pugh, pointed out, post-Brexit the UK and the EU will continue to trade.  Our eating habits won't change, and supermarkets will continue to stock the food we have grown accustomed to buying.  The possibility of future food scares is inevitable. The challenges going forward will be for the Government to set standards and to work in partnership with the whole supply chain to achieve these standards.  It will be important to inspire businesses to strive for the same standards of excellence of suppliers like Aled Jones. As Aled put it, "Whatever I produce, I want to be proud of it."

Post Contributor:

Caitriona Fitzsimons Digital Reporter