Discussion on future EU food regulations

The Food Standards Agency has joined with the Lithuanian Embassy in the UK to host the Lithuanian EU Presidency event to discuss how future European food business regulation might look.

The conference, entitled ‘Food safety, risk and modern supply networks’, will be held at the Lithuanian Embassy on 24 October at 3pm. There will be presentations and a panel discussion with representatives from the FSA, retailers, manufacturers and the media, with the keynote address given by Michael Scannell, Director of the Food and Veterinary Service at the European Commission. The meeting will be chaired by Awilo Ochieng Pernet, Vice-Chair of the international food standards setting body Codex Alimentarius.

In the wake of the Europe-wide horse meat incident, the conference will discuss what happened and how governments, regulators and industry should have responded. This will be considered in the context of the current negotiations to adapt the Official Controls Regulation (EC 882/2004).

Tim Bennett, Chair of the FSA, will be opening the conference. He said: ‘This conference is an opportunity for UK stakeholders to feed in their views on the current official controls proposal from the European Commission in front of the Presidency and key stakeholders from around Europe.

‘The FSA is leading for the UK Government on these negotiations, so this is an ideal time to make your views heard on hot topics such as charging and earned recognition.’

The Ambassador of Lithuania in the UK, Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė, said: ‘A well-functioning single market is one of the main priorities of our Presidency, therefore, we seek to modernise and simplify the food safety controls for the EU agri-food industry by taking into account the views of stakeholders.’

Those with an interest in what food business regulation might look like in the future should find this an interesting and provocative half-day conference.

An agenda and speakers list can be found below.

To secure your place at the conference or for more information, please email your details to: [email protected].lt or call: 020 7592 2859 by Friday, 18 October 2013. The Lithuanian Embassy is at 2 Bessborough Gardens, London SW1V 2JE.

Agenda and speakers – provisional programme

Food safety, risk and modern supply networks: 24 October 2013

3.00–3.30pm Registration

3.30–3.55pm Welcome speeches
Conference chair: Ms Awilo Ochieng Pernet, Vice-Chair Codex Alimentarius

Mr Tim Bennett, Chair of the Food Standards Agency

HE Mrs Asta Skaisgiryte Liauskiene, Ambassador of Lithuania

Baroness Scott of Needham Market, Chairman of EU Sub Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy

3.55–4.45pm Presentations
Mr Michael Scannell, Director, Food and Veterinary Service, DG Sanco

Mr Zenonas Stanevicius, Deputy General Director of Lithuanian Food and Veterinary service

Mr Steve Wearne, Director of Policy, Food Standards Agency

4.45–5.45pm Panel discussion
Retailer’s perspective: Mr Peter Wight, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Marks and Spencer

Manufacturer’s perspective: Mrs Rasa Šarkevičienė, Quality Manager, Žemaitijos Pienas

Media perspective: Ms Julia Glotz, Fresh Foods Editor, The Grocer

Legal perspective: Ms Vanessa Edwards, Partner, KL Gates

5.45–6.00pm Closing remarks

6.00–8.00pm Official reception and Lithuanian Cuisine presentation