CIEH open letter in response to FSA National Level Regulation proposals

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) have issued an open letter expressing significant concerns over the Food Standards Agency (FSA)’s proposed National Level Regulation (NLR).

In our open letter, which has been sent to the FSA, we have urged the FSA Board not to agree the implementation of phase of the NLR and have outlined the following concerns:

• Risk of consumer loss of confidence and local point of reference
• Potential to add to public health risks
• Potential to overturn decades of local authorities-based food inspection and monitoring
• FSA's imagined role as a direct regulator
• Lack of transparency, consultation and evidence

Without clear objectives, detailed planning, and transparency about resources and the implementation, phase one of NLR risks undermining confidence in the food regulatory system. CIEH urges the FSA Board not to agree the implementation of phase one of NLR so that:

• The ELR evaluation report can be assessed by relevant stakeholders
• Detailed proposals for NLR can be made available, together with an impact assessment and clarity on how the imagined scenario of the FSA being a direct regulator fits into each phase
• Details of all appraised options for delivery models be made available
• Relevant stakeholders are consulted on any proposals across the three nations.

These steps are necessary to protect public health and maintain consumer confidence in the food regulatory system. CIEH would welcome the opportunity to explore modernisation of the food regulatory system and the CIEH remains ready to assist in assessing any proposals to ensure they serve the public interest and safeguard the high standards the public expects from the FSA.

Read the full letter