Food safety and the role of HACCP in Norway and Europe Norway-Japan Marine Seminar 2014 Grethe Bynes Head of Section for Import and Export, Norwegian Food Safety Authority
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority Agenda Norwegian Food Safety Aurhority HACCP a history Inspections, audits and controls Import and Export Market Acess Bilateral trust building
Facts Director General: Harald Gjein Yearly FTE: 1299 Established: 1.1.2004 Head office (6 office sites) 8 regional offices 54 district offices (70 office sites) Answers to three ministries: Ministry of Agriculture and Food (administrative responsibility) Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries Ministry of Health and Care Services
The mission of the NFSA is to promote: Safe, healthy food Safe drinking water Healthy plants, fish and animals Excellence in animal welfare and respect for fish and animals Environmentally friendly production Health, quality and consumer interests throughout the food production chain In addition: A far-sighted and efficient organisation Within the framework of these goals, to contribute to value creation in the food sector
The core tasks of the NFSA Procuring information and analysing current conditions Regulatory and legislative work Supervision, control and inspections Communicating and advising
Procuring information and analysing current conditions Information about current conditions, analysis of macro-economic benefit and costs, and expert opinions inform the NFSA s public relations and priorities. As a national body, the NFSA works to place issues of concern in a wider national context and to establish coherent policies. Strategic analyses, evaluations, analyses of societal impacts, cost assessments, assessment of opportunities for profit-taking are key elements in the organisation's prioritisation discussions.
Legislation administered by the NFSA The Food Safety Act: is designed to guarantee healthy, safe food and safe drinking water for consumers, promote health, regulate environmentally friendly production and prevent the spread of animal and plant diseases Act concerning the welfare of animals: is designed to ensure ethical keeping of animals and fish Act relating to cosmetic products and other body care products, etc.: is designed to ensure that cosmetics and body care products safeguard human and animal health
The NFSA also administers: Act relating to veterinarians and other animal health personnel Act relating to the plant breeder's right Act relating to livestock breeding Regulations appurtenant to these acts lay down more detailed provisions. The majority of the Norwegian acts and regulations are included in the EEA Agreement and constitute common European rules.
Regulatory framework - Norway and the EU EU 28 memberstates EFTA Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein EEA Since 1994 EU legislations Internal market
Hygiene legislations in Norway Food Law Regulation 178/2002 Control Regulation 882/2004 Feed Hygiene Regulation 183/2005 Animal By-Product Regulation 1774/2002 Hygiene Package
The NFSA s supervision, control and inspections The NFSA is required to supervise compliance with national regulations and international directives. Inspections are planned so as to have the greatest possible general preventive effect. The district offices are to deploy resources where they believe the probability and consequences of any non-compliance is greatest. This is referred to as risk-based control. The NFSA conducts scheduled inspections, inspections following unwanted incidents and in response to notices of concern.
Who do we supervise and inspect? Primary producers Food industry and small-scale producers Importers Food retailers Catering establishments
We also supervise: Vets and other animal health personnel People who keep animals (farmers and private individuals) Cosmetics and body care products Sales of medicinal products outside pharmacies
Inspections, audits, HACCP focusing on seafood
Approved establishments The establishment is responsible for safe food HACCP Hygenic production of food Approved seafood establishments: 1080 Freezer- and factory vessels: 263 Active Aquaculture farms: 651 Fishing Vessels 6128 http://www.mattilsynet.no/language/english/fish_and_aqaculture/approved_products_and_establishments/ http://www.fiskeridir.no/statistikk/fiskeri/noekkeltall
Production chain for fish farming Feed production Hatchery/nursery in fresh water Broodstock in fresh water On-growing farm food fish in sea water Transport/ wellboats Slaughtering
HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points - Developed in the 1970 s - Prevention - Implemented for fishery establishments in 1991 i Europe. - In Norway in 1996
The 7 HACCP- principles 1 - identifying any hazards 2 - identifying the critical control points 3 - establishing critical limits at critical control points 4 - establishing and implementing effective monitoring procedures at critical control points; 5 - establishing corrective actions 6 - establishing procedures, which shall be carried out regularly, to verify measures in steps 1-5 7 - establishing documents and records - demonstrate the effective application
Prerequisites for HACCP, examples Raw Material Control Pest Control HACCP Production Control Sanitation and Maintenance
How do we succeed? Continuous Improvement Education HACCP Training Prerequisite programs Management commitment
Benefits Enhancing food safety Aid in inspection from regulatory authorities Increases confidence and may promote trade
What does NFSA do to ensure compliance? Audits Inspections with spot checks Monitoring programmes Verification
Experiences 2012 NFSA National control campaign on HACPP 1034 inspections, 92 seafood producers Results for seafood 50% - not sufficient process identifying hazards 35% - not sufficient prerequisite programs Corrective measures are taken Large vs small establishments
Agenda Norwegian Food Safety Aurhority Market Access and Bilateral Trust Building HACCP a history Inspections, audits and controls Import and Export Market Acess Bilateral trust building
Market Access - various definitions, different views Market entrance: Market access:
Result Norwegian Food Safety Authority s work influates the possibility for market entrance for the industry But We do not advertise Norwegian feed or food, Facilitating trade within NFSA administrative area is based on international agreed principles.
International Agreements and Organizations Constitutes the framework for market access activities
International Activities Meetings: EU-commission and Member States Committees: EU, WTO (SPS Committee), Codex Alimentarius, (OIE and IPPC) Bilateral agreements: Free Trade Agreements together with other EFTA-countries
Visits - See the seafood production in action - Exchange of information on food safety systems and controls - Share knowledge and competence An open dialogue between importing and exporting countries contribute to transparency and trust in each others systems and routines.
Negotiations - sanitary and veterinary certificates Certificate database at: www.mattilsynet.no
Notifications, follow-up China - Notifications on microbiology Russia - Notifications on microbiology and labelling Information on follow-up from NFSA to relevant competent authority RASFF European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.
International Assessments EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) audits Foreign inspections (Russia, US)
External audit 2014 (ESA inspections) The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) monitors Norway s compliance with EEA rules. Focus on official controls In 2014 ESA will investigate: Foreign substances and medicine Poultry meat Animal welfare during slaughter Animal by-products
International Assessments, cont Guidance Document in Codex Alimentarius: Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Assessments of Foreign Official Inspection and Certification Systems Annex to the Codex Guidelines for the Design, Operation, Assessment and Accreditation of Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CAC/GL 26-1997).
Market Access to the EU - Country approval - Request from national authority to the Commission - PMQ is sent from the Commission. - Proposed residues monitoring programs must be approved by the Commission. - On-the-spot inspections are organised by the FVO. http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/trade/docs/guide_thirdcountries2009_en.pdf (page 12) http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/establishments/third_country/requested_guarantees_en.htm
Market Access to the EU - Country approval, cont. If the country is approved, COM will set up an initial list of approved establishments. This list can be modified by the CCA. Procedures to request a modification to the list of establishments: http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/establishments/third_country/proc_intro_request_en.htm
Summing up NFSA has a whole food chain approach - contributes to safe food for both national and international consumers. - Norwegian legislation is harmonized with EU-legislation HACCP and National food safety systems - HACCP is a necessity, - also a valuable assett for the industry. - dedication and improvment Market Access - rely on trust in, and verification of, a sufficient food safety system Experience, Knowledge and Confidence
Thank you for your attention