Following a report that revealed considerable food safety regulatory challenges throughout the UK stemming from Brexit, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is proposing amendments to the Food Law Code of Practice in England and Northern Ireland.
The report, conducted by the UK House of Commons Committee of Public Actions, highlights the slow development of long-term regulatory strategies following the country’s exit from the EU, and states that federal agencies are facing a lack of skilled professionals required to carry out effective regulation. Specifically, difficulties staffing veterinarians to monitor food safety, toxicologists to assess food hazards, and lawyers to enforce laws that protect consumers are posing a threat to national food safety. Regarding the problematically slow regulatory adaptation to Brexit, the House of Commons has asked regulators to write to the Committee of Public Actions within six months, outlining the progress in developing long-term regulatory strategies, including the legislative requirements and estimated timelines for specific reforms.