IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

NEIL BEEKEN

PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER

COMMERCIAL SECTION

GRIMSBY & IMMINGHAM BORDER INSPECTION POST

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

• The role of Environmental Health in the importation of foodstuffs & other products of animal origin

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

• Two distinct regimes

1. Products of Animal Origin (POAO)

2. Other Products (PNOAO)

Human Consumption & Non Human Consumption

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

POAO

• Human Consumptione.g. Fish, Meat, Dairy, Honey & associated “composite” products

• Non Human Consumptione.g. Petfood, Wool, Hides & Skins, Fishmeal

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

POAO – Rigidly regulated

• Border Inspection Posts (BIPs)

• Approved Establishments

• Health Certification for consignments

• Competent Authority

• CVED & TRACES

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 todate

POAO HCPOAO NHC

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

Principal Countries

CHINACANADA

SOUTH AFRICAINDONESIA

RUSSIAICELAND

THAILANDVIETNAM

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

BIP Status

OPTIMUM – CHILLED, AMBIENT, FROZEN (HC & NHC)

GY/IMM BIP – FROZEN (HC), AMBIENT (NHC)

The status is largely dictated by the available detention facilities.

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

Consignment Checking Regime

• Notification of daily arrivals from ABP

• Individual ship manifests from agents

• Consignments of interest highlighted

• Documents deposited at BIP by agents

• Exam arranged

• Exam carried out

• Documents certified & CVED issued

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

EU Special Measures – fishery products

CHINA - CHLORAMPHENICOL (2004)

Absolute ban moving to 100% physical checks –

consignment on positive release

INDONESIA - HEAVY METALS & HISTAMINE

(2006-present)

100% physical checks - consignment on positive release

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES OF GRIMSBY / IMMINGHAM BIP

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

STRENGTHS

• Excellent working relationships with stakeholders – hauliers, importers, import agents, ABP

• 24 hour response time

• Minimum legal charges imposed

• Knowledgeable & practical staff

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

WEAKNESSES

• Ageing facilities

• Current approval status limits potential trade

• 22 mile round trip for every consignment

• Recruitment & retention issues

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

PNOAO

• Entire range of foodstuffs accepted

• Raw / Processed / Packaged

TRADE IN 2006

Average 7 consignments per month:Fruit & Veg

AlcoholCanned GoodsMineral Water

Sweets

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

PNOAO

No restriction upon status of port with regard to accepting consignments except…

Nuts & Figs

Sudan I

Konjac

IMPORTED FOOD CONTROL

SUMMARY

• Most activity directed towards POAO

• Mostly fishery products intended for further processing at local factories

• POAO – frozen HC, ambient NHC

• PNOAO – few constraints, many opportunities

• Highly regulated area – pragmatic, positive attitude