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ANNUAL REPORT ON IRELAND’S

NATIONAL CONTROL PLAN

for the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014

1

Introduction

This annual report on Ireland’s national control plan (NCP), covers the period from 1 January

2014 to 31 December 2014. It has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Contact point

All enquiries regarding the annual reports of Ireland’s National Control Plan should be directed to:

Responsibility for official controls of food

Contact point: Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Address: Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1.

Email address: [email protected]

Telephone: +353-1-8171320

Fax: +353-1-8171301

About

The Annual Report is presented in a tabular form. The section numbers in the left column of the tables refers to COMMISSION DECISION of 24 July 2008

1 on guidelines to assist Member States

in preparing the annual report on the single integrated multiannual national control plan provided for in Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The responsibility for enforcement of food legislation is managed through service contracts between FSAI and a number of competent authorities, also known as ‘official agencies’; a section for each official agency is provided in the Report along with sections covering the other elements of the country’s Multi-Annual National Control Plan.

1 http://mancp-riskbasedplanning.wikispaces.com/file/view/Dec_2008_654.pdf

http://www.fsai.ie/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=1216

http://mancp-riskbasedplanning.wikispaces.com/file/view/Dec_2008_654.pdf

http://mancp-riskbasedplanning.wikispaces.com/file/view/Dec_2008_654.pdf

2

Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 1

Contents ........................................................................................................................................................... 2

Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland ................................................................................................................ 4

ANNEX: FSAI1.................................................................................................................................... 10

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine .................................................................................... 14

ANNEX DAFM1 - VIAP Risk Assessment Form ................................................................................. 58

ANNEX DAFM2 - SVI Risk Assessment Form .................................................................................... 61

ANNEX DAFM3 - 2013 - Summary of Legal Notices served .............................................................. 64

ANNEX DAFM4 - VPHIS Training ....................................................................................................... 66

ANNEX DAFM5 - Plant Health Control information. ............................................................................ 69

Health Service Executive (HSE) ..................................................................................................................... 73

ANNEX: HSE1 .................................................................................................................................... 76

Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) .................................................................................................... 81

ANNEX: SFPA1 .................................................................................................................................. 84

Local Authorities (LA) ..................................................................................................................................... 86

ANNEX: LAVS1 .................................................................................................................................. 89

The Marine Institute (MI) ................................................................................................................................ 92

ANNEX: MI1 - Sampling & Analysis .................................................................................................... 95

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) ....................................................................................... 97

3

Glossary

ABP: Animal By-Products

BIP: Border Inspection Post

DAFM: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

FBO: Food / Feed Business Operator

FSAI: Food Safety Authority of Ireland

HSE: Health Services Executive

LAVS: Local Authority Veterinary Service

MI: Marine Institute

MRL: Maximum Residue Limit

NSAI: National Standards Authority of Ireland

SFPA: Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority

SVSIAG: State Veterinary Service Internal Audit Group

TSE: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

VPHIS: Veterinary Public Health Inspection Service

4

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland

The FSAI is the competent authority with overall responsibility for the enforcement of food legislation in Ireland. The responsibility for enforcement of food legislation is managed through service contracts between FSAI and a number of competent authorities, also known as ‘official agencies.’ There were 33 such official agencies in 2014:

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine;

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority;

The Health Service Executive;

The Marine Institute;

28 Local Authorities (comprising of 27 County Councils and one City Council); and,

The National Standards Authority of Ireland.

These official agencies are subject to audit by the Authority to verify the effectiveness and appropriateness of food controls and to monitor conformance by official agencies with the terms and requirements of their respective service contracts. All Authority audit reports and corrective action plans are published on the Authority’s website. Information on the areas of responsibility for the official agencies can be found in Annex FSAI1 (table FSAI4). The Authority retains some direct enforcement responsibility for specific areas of activity, for example the Authority is the competent authority for irradiated food, genetically modified food and novel foods. The FSAI is also the competent authority for the enforcement of the legislation on food contact materials in businesses that manufacture, import, distribute and retail food packaging and other food contact materials. Inspections of Irish manufacturers and importers of food contact materials are carried out by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, under service contract to the FSAI while inspections of food businesses that use food contact materials are undertaken by the other official agencies operating under their respective service contracts. These inspections include controls on the safe use of food contact materials. The Authority is the national central control point for information and communication relating to food incidents and food alerts. It maintains a ‘24/7/365’ capability to manage incidents and operates in close cooperation with colleagues in other Member States and in Belfast and London. The Authority is also the Irish contact point for the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. Scientific risk assessments are conducted by the Authority in respect of identified hazards found in food. These assessments are used as the basis for risk management decisions. This supports food control activities to ensure that actions are based on science.

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MANCP Section

Title Information

9.1 List Official Control (OC) activity

Work was started in 2014 to update the supplement notification database.

In 2014, there were 13foods for special groups (formerly PARNUTS) notifications and 269 food for special medical purposes notifications which in the latter case, is a149% increase on 2013 when 1697 notifications for food supplements were received.

Of these, 105 food notifications were assessed for safety and compliance using a risk-based selection criterion.

The FSAI conducted safety assessments on six novel foods/ingredients in 2014:

EtroG-100

Milk Oligosaccharide 2’- FL

Milk Oligosaccharide (LNnT)

Synthetic vitamin K

Orthosilicic acid-Vanillin complex

Krill oil.

The safety assessments of six novel foods or food ingredients carried out by other Member States were reviewed:

Ultra violet light treated bread

Phytosterol esters

DHA-rich oil from microalgae Schizochytrium

Sporopollenin Shells

Glavanoid extension of use

Tolerase.

12 applications were accepted for opinions on the substantial equivalence of novel food ingredients to similar ingredients already on the EU market. Following scientific assessment, the FSAI provided substantial equivalence opinions on the following applications:

Chia seed X 8

Vitamin K

DHA rich oil

Astaxanthin

Inca Inchi oil.

The Authority issued 42 original Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed notifications in 2014, compared to 40 in 2013:

34 in respect of food

Three in respect of feed

Five for food contact materials

Of the 42 notifications, eight related to products originating in Ireland

During 2014, a total of 117 of the original RASFF notifications processed through the system involved the distribution to Ireland.

In 2014, the Authority handled 494 food incidents (See Annex FSAI1), an increase of 10%, compared with 2013 when there were 449 such incidents. Incidents were categorised as full food incidents, minor food incidents and cross-country food complaints.

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245 full food incidents (including 21 food fraud incidents) were investigated in 2014, compared to 217 in 2013. There was a total number of 271 hazards identified for the 245 incidents:

Chemical hazards were most frequently identified (81); followed by ‘other’ hazards (67); microbiological hazards (44); and allergens (37). A total of 23 incidents had more than one associated hazard.

The 81 chemical hazards were as a result of composition/additives (44); pesticides/residues of veterinary medicines (13); migration from food contact materials (10); heavy metals (7); bio-contamination (4) and industrial contamination (3).

160 minor incidents were investigated in 2014; an increase of 19 (13.5%), as compared with 2013.

87 cross-country food complaints were handled in 2014, compared with 91 in 2013;

There were 44 countries of origin for foods associated with the 494 incidents and 367 of these were European Union Member States;

The Republic of Ireland was the country of origin in 42.1% (208) of the incidents, followed by the United Kingdom 12.3% (61), Northern Ireland 5.3% (26), United States 4.7% (23); China 3.4% (17); France 2.6% (13) and Poland 2.4% (12).

44 food alerts were handled by the FSAI during 2014:

Five of these were Category 1 alerts for action.

13 were Category 2 alerts for information.

Eight of these food alerts related to microbiological spoilage or possible presence of pathogenic organisms and under-processing. The remaining alerts related to chemical contamination including migration (6); the presence of foreign bodies (2) and mycotoxins (2).

Four of the recalls related to bottled water due to the presence of chemical residues and particulate matter and two recalls related to raw milk cheeses due to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in 2014.

The Authority also published 26 food allergen alerts in 2014 (twice the number it published in 2013); 21 related to undeclared allergens on the labelling, while five related to inconsistent/ incorrect labelling.

The Authority provided 170 risk assessments to support incident management in 2014. These were in the areas of: pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, additives/contaminants/contact materials, microbiological safety, processing technology, food allergens, irradiated food and public health nutrition.

Provisional data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre indicate that in 2014, food was reported as the suspected cause of eight outbreaks of gastroenteritis (infectious intestinal disease), a similar figure to 2013:

two salmonellosis outbreaks; two outbreaks of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) infection; three outbreaks of acute infectious gastroenteritis and one outbreak of campylobacteriosis

These eight outbreaks in 2014 accounted for 37 cases of illness of which three were hospitalised;

In 2014, the Authority was involved in the investigation of 21 food fraud cases and work was also undertaken on three cases which carried forward from 2013.Investigations were also carried out into four other food incidents which had a fraud component.

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The cases investigated included;

soft drinks recoding and re-dating

the operation of unapproved meat establishments

sale and supply of counterfeit alcohol

re-dating of canned beer

mis-description of meat products (halal, lamb)

shellfish placed on the market causing illness

stolen animals and illegally slaughtered animals.

Also in 2014 In 2014, the FSAI, in collaboration with control partners in the Gardaí (Irish National Police), Customs and Revenue Service and official agencies, participated in Operation OPSON activities, code named OPSON IV. Operation OPSON, is a Europol and Interpol, led initiative that aims to stamp out the production and sale of counterfeit ‘protected food name’ products,

A total of 2,738 complaints from consumers about food and food premises (down 4% on 2013) were received by the FSAI’s Advice Line including:

Unfit food: 1,199

Hygiene standards: 566

Suspect food poisoning: 529

Labelling: 175

81 food samples were analysed for irradiation with one (a food supplement) being found to have been irradiated and not labelled appropriately.

In 2014, a total of 70 fishery products were sampled and speciated. All but two were labelled appropriately. One product sampled was labelled as “Fillet of cod” though it contained hake instead, while the other product was labelled as “Two square cod (battered)” and was found to contain smelt but not cod.

During 2014, a protocol for the Health Service Executive was developed to enable them to survey the safety of ready-to-eat cakes, pastries and desserts with high-risk fillings.

The Authority also coordinated the sampling and analysis of 47 food samples by the Environmental Health Service of the Health Service Executive and the Public Analyst Laboratories respectively, for the authorised presence and appropriate labelling of genetically modified ingredients. All samples analysed were found to be compliant with the relevant legislation.

9.2 Statement of compliance (with this OC)

Overall compliance Overall in compliance in those areas for which the Authority has direct responsibility was good.

9.2.2.1 & 9.2.2.2

What proportion of the checks identified non-compliance

The Authority received 2,166 notifications for food supplements in 2014, an increase of 28% on 2013 notifications and a 98% increase over 2012 notification numbers. Of these, 320 were found not to be supplements. Compliance continues to be a problem in this sector. 161 products shown not to be food supplements were refused that designation.

What were the main types of non-compliance identified

Information on this specific point is not available.

Were the non-compliances clustered or randomly distributed

Randomly distributed.

8

Categorise these non-compliances into major, moderate and minor and give the proportion/frequency


9.2.2.3 What was/were the root cause/s of the non-compliances identified


9.4.1

Actions to ensure compliance by Food and Feed Business operators and other relevant business operators with official controls.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998 grants authorised officers the power to inspect food businesses for compliance with food safety legislation. Under this Act, authorised officers may, if conditions present risks to public health, serve an Improvement Notice (requiring remedial work to be carried out); an Improvement Order (issued by the District Court as a result of non-compliance with an Improvement Notice); a Closure Order (closing a business down) or a Prohibition Order (placing restrictions or prohibitions on the use of food). The Health Service Executive has additional powers under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 (S.I. No. 117 of 2010) to serve Closure Orders or Prohibition Orders for non-compliance with food legislation. Actions taken to deal with non-compliances

In 2014, the FSAI and its official agencies served 382 Enforcement Notices and Orders; an 18% decrease on 2013. This represented the first decrease in these enforcement actions since 2009. (See Annex FSAI1).

The majority of notices were served by the Health Service Executive, which supervises the majority of food businesses in Ireland.

96 Closure Orders were served in 2014, down from 119 in 2013 the previous year.

The Authority was notified of 11 successful prosecutions in 2014, all undertaken by the Health Service Executive, a decrease of two on the previous year. Most (10) prosecutions were against food businesses in the service sector: four restaurants, three takeaways, two hotels and one public house. The remaining prosecution was of a distributor/transporter

The Authority’s carried out a number of targeted (or focused) audits to examine food business operators’ compliance with respect to a specific aspect of food law:

In 2014, the Authority completed an audit of 16 food business operators to assess compliance with food additives legislation, e.g. nitrites, sulphites, phosphates and colourings in meat products/meat preparations.

9.4.2 Actions to ensure effectiveness of Official Controls (by the CA)

In 2014, the Authority carried out six external audits of official agencies to examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of official controls.

Following on from a recommendation from a 2013 EC Food and Veterinary Office audit, the Authority established a new working group with the official agencies (local authorities and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) to produce guidance for the agencies on incorporating flexibility into the official controls

The Authority hosted a seminar in 2014 for all the Irish National Reference Laboratories and official laboratories involved in microbiological testing of foods as part of official controls

Training is also provided to official agency staff on food safety, food legislation and food control.

The Authority’s learning management system for staff in the official agencies, SafetyNet Learning, was further developed.

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The online learning management system continues to support the professional development of both the Authority’s staff and in the official agencies

Two interactive training modules were developed to help enforcement officers understand the law with respect to food labelling. E-learning Labelling Modules 2 and 3 on General Labelling and Nutrition Information were completed by almost 500 environmental health officers. These modules were also added to the online learning resource section on the Authority’s website to allow food businesses to access and complete them

A webinar on the new requirements for declaring allergen information on loose foods was hosted for 100 environmental health officers in December

9.5

Statement of Overall compliance within the sector

The Authority considers that overall compliance within the sector during 2014 was satisfactory.

Comment on the appropriateness and suitability of the MANCP

Did the programme of OC’s identify any necessary amendment to MANCP No.

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ANNEX: FSAI1

11

Year Full

Incidents Minor

Incidents

Cross-country

Complaints

Food Fraud

Full incident / Food Fraud

Minor incident / Food Fraud

Supplement Notification Follow-up

Total

2014 224 160 87 19 1 1 2 494

2013 208 141 91 5 3 1 449

2012 162 167 75 404

2011 147 170 79 396

2010 129 165 60 355

Table FSAI1: Number of Food Incidents, 2009 – 2014.

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Closure order 57 66 91 119 96

Improvement order 4 7 3 5 269

Prohibition order 12 11 15 20 1

Improvement notice 254 294 307 322 16

Total 327 378 416 466 382

Table FSAI2: Enforcements Served, 2009 - 2013

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Service Sector Business 45 55 79 89 78

Retailers 9 7 9 19 10

Manufacturer / Packer 1 2 3 5 4

Distributors / Transporters 1 6 3

Manufacturer Selling Direct 1 1 1

Primary 1

Total 57 66 91 119 96

Table FSAI3: Closure Orders Served, 2009 – 2013

12

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Meat Processors 154 154 153 154 152

Egg Producers 285 376 354 369 401

Milk Processors 230 233 240 231 242

Total 669 763 747 754 795

Health Service Executive*

Primary Producers 27 23 21 0 0

Manufacturers and Packers 1921 2253 2534 2956 3139

Distributors & Transporters 1370 1487 1472 1162 1270

Food Service Businesses 30567 31404 30311 28214 28843

Retailers 10732 11166 10978 10972 11259

Manufacturers Selling Primarily on a Retail Basis

1738 724 695 0 0

Other 115

Total 46355 47057 46011 43419 44511

*The total number of establishments supervised by the Health Service Executive Environmental Health Service shows a significant drop in 2013 compared to previous years, due to the development of a new IT system for recording establishments and inspections.

Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority

Approved Establishment 183 183 189 180 179

Aquaculture Sites** 86 0 0 0 0

Factory & Freezer Vessels (Approved – Irish)

23 23 34 36 45

Fishing Vessels 2129 2201 2216 2155 2077

Ice Plants 13 12 12 12 10

Molluscan Production Areas 130 131 131 133 137

Registered Food Business on Land 45 56 81 75 89

Total 2609 2606 2663 2591 2591

** Inspection of aquaculture sites transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2010.

Local Authorities

Slaughterhouses 219 212 206 202 205

Small Meat Manufacturing Plants 175 180 189 180 197

Poultry Plants 37 41 35 34 34

Other 20 17 26 24 51

Total 451 450 456 440 487

Table FSAI4: Number and Type of Food Businesses Inspected by Official Agencies, 2010 – 2014

13

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 % Change 2010-2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (not

including temporary veterinary inspectors engaged in meat inspection).

Inspection Services 386 353 332 333 327 -15%

Laboratories 96 87 88 89 76a -21%

Health Service Executive

Environmental Health Service 361 333 344 307 305 -16%

Food Microbiology Laboratories 79 74 73 71 64 -19%

Public Analyst Laboratories 69 68 65 66 64 -7%


43 45 42 41 40 -7%

Local Authorities 72 72 71 73 68 -6%

Marine Institute 28 31 28 27 29 +4%

National Standards Authority of Ireland

0.1 0.1 0.1 1.1b 1

b +900%

Food Safety Authority of Ireland (not including consultancy

staff or staff on short-term contract) 75 74 72 71 68 -9%

Total 1209 1137 1115 1080 1042 -14%

Table FSAI4a: Number of Staff (Whole Time Equivalent) Working in Official Control

a Excludes the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory which did not provide data for 2014. In 2013, it reported 11.25

whole time equivalent staff working on food

b The National Standards Authority of Ireland increased the number of staff engaged in food safety contact materials from

2012

2010 2011 2012 2013 2013 % Change 2010-2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

(Inspections in meat, milk and egg processors).

13169 11495 10830 9547 10202 -23%

Health Service Executive 41966 37973 36584 33971 35053 -16%


2521 2330 2386 2114 2821 +12%

Local Authorities - 5156 4630 5021 4802 -7%*

Total 57656 56954 54430 50653 50653 -7%

(2011-2014)

Table FSAI4b: Number of Inspections by Official Agencies, 2009-2013

*Inspection activity before 2011 was recorded differently and the numbers are not comparable. The % change is for 2011-2014

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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Official Control Activity (9.12)

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Veterinary Public Health

Number planned

Total number of planned official controls: 1650. Total number of actual official controls: 5110. There has been a decrease of 0.83% in the actual number of official controls carried out. The inspection system /protocols have progressively changed from planned inspections to an audit model and more recently (2013/4) to risk assessed audits of Food Business Operator (FBO) activities and verification of official controls. Appendix DAFM1 – Veterinary Inspection and Audit Programme (VIAP) Risk Assessment Form. Appendix DAFM2 – Superintending Veterinary Inspector Risk Assessment Form.

% completed

100% of planned official controls took place in 2014. An additional 3460 official controls were also carried out.

Comment The reason for the discrepancy between planned and actual controls includes:

New approvals for activities in existing plants, or new approvals of new establishments.

Preparation for internal and external audits.

Close out of audits and inspection findings.

A considerable increase in certification of product to Third Country destinations in general and in certification of dairy product in particular, or pre-export for eventual Third country destinations. This work is demand driven and cannot be assessed at the beginning of each year. It is anticipated that there will be further growth in this area.

Third Country delegation preparations, visits and close outs.

Specific checks for Third Country criteria e.g. United States Department of Agriculture equivalence audits.

VPHIS exercises a structured risk based approach to undertaking the auditing and verification of official controls. The additional ad hoc controls, increasingly represent a resource issue for VPHIS in an environment of diminishing budgets and staff. The added work includes meeting Food Business Operator (FBOs) requirements for trade [certification] and ad hoc controls arising from findings / complaints / audits / delegations over which the VPHIS has no direct control. The list of Audits in 2014 includes:

Food Safety Authority of Ireland: Continuation of FSAI and Food Safety Authority Northern Ireland Joint traceability audit

FSAI: Targeted Audit of Cold Stores

Food and Veterinary Office: Welfare at Transport Audit

Food and Veterinary Office: To follow up on recommendations and review of control systems for food and feed safety, animal health, animal welfare and plant health in order to prepare a country profile

FVO: Evaluate the official controls of procedures based on the HACCP principles

FVO: Evaluate the effectiveness of, and the progress made by the Programmes Co-Financed by the European Union to eradicate Bovine Tuberculosis

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Internal Audit Group: Contingency Planning, Avian Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever

Internal Audit Group: Listeria in Ready To Eat Food

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Pesticide Controls

Section 2 of the National Control Plan for Ireland for the period from 1st January 2012 to the 31st December 2016 (MANCP) includes details on the control of pesticide residues in food on the Irish market. These controls are carried out by the Pesticide Controls Division of DAFM with the cooperation of the Pesticide Control Laboratory. DAFM and the FSAI agree the annual programme for controlling pesticide residues in food and submit a copy to the EU Commission as required by Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005. The EU Co-ordinated Monitoring Programme for pesticide residues is incorporated within this programme.

Area controlled Controls

applied 2013

% of target programme achieved.

Comments

Sector: Food of plant origin.

Pesticide residues in food of plant origin.

800 samples of Fruit & Vegetables (W/R/P)

101% of 2014 plan for fruit & vegetables was achieved.

Delivery is in line with 2014 programme requirements, and includes the commodities specified in the EU coordinated programme, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 788/2012. Samples are selected randomly and are traceable to producer/country of origin except in the case of processed products (which were not traced to the original producer).

100 planned samples of cereals (W/P)

99% of plan for cereals was achieved.

Cereal samples were selected randomly and most were traced to producer of domestic origin.

Increased control of pesticide residues in certain foods of plant origin as set by Commission Regulation (EC) No 669/2009

In 2014, 10% of all consignments subject to increased levels of control were sampled.

With the exception of tea from China (sampled at a frequency of 6%), all other commodities were sampled at the required frequency.

Total consignments for 2014 = 1097, an increase of 41% on the number of consignments received in 2013.

Reactive Programmes

Pesticide residues in food

20 planned samples (estimated as follow up to breaches and unauthorised uses in 2013).

60% of the reactive programme was achieved.

Delivery based on availability of targeted produce on the market in 2014.

Follow up to RASFF notifications relevant to Ireland.

One consignment was encountered in Ireland which related to a RASFF notification.

Orange from Egypt, destined for juice production, was found not to breach the MRL with a 50% uncertainty.

W=wholesale; R=retail; PP=primary processing

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Area controlled Controls applied


Comments

Sector: Food of animal origin (FAO)

Pesticide residues in food of animal origin (FAO)

413 planned samples, including kidney fats of bovine, cervine, equine, ovine, porcine, poultry and game, as well as milk, eggs, honey, meat and liver.

101% of the plan was achieved.

FAO samples were analysed using multi-residue methods which cover the organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides, as required in Directive 96/23/EC, and a wide range of other pesticides. The programme includes samples specified in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 788/2012.

Pesticide residues in infant formula and follow on formula samples

24 planned samples of infant formula.

83% of the plan was achieved.

Samples analysed as specified in Commission Regulation (EU) No 788/2012 and in accordance with Commission Directive 2006/141/EC. The number taken in 2014 reflected the batch sampling programme implemented by the Dairy Controls and Certification Division.

References to detailed area report

Pesticides Residues in Food

Detailed report outlining the results of the 2014 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Programme will be submitted to the Commission in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 396 of 2005. http://www.efsa.europa.eu/cs/Satellite. The national residue report for 2014 will be uploaded at http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Animal Feedingstuffs Controls

Section 5 of the National Control Plan for Ireland for the period from 1st January 2012 to the 31st December 2016 deals with the control of feed on the Irish market. The Feedingstuffs, Fertiliser, Grain & Poultry Division in conjunction with the Crop Policy, Production and Safety Division is responsible for the monitoring, regulation and control of all stages of the animal feed chain. These two bodies combined are known as the Animal Feedingstuffs Control Group (AFCG). In line with the Commission Recommendation 2005/925/EC, results of the coordinated community inspection programme have been forwarded to the Commission.



Comments

Sector: Feedingstuffs

Feed Business Operators

1,252 unannounced inspections.

83 % Delivery broadly in line with 2014 plan requirements for prioritised inspections.

135 audits. 92 % Reduced staff resources has resulted in some audit inspections being carried over into 2015 to allow for completion of programme.

Feed

1,414 samples taken and analysed. 1,343 labels inspected.

82 %

Delivered in line with 2014 plan requirements; higher risk areas prioritised.

Feed Drying

100 samples of dried feed taken and analysed for PCB’s.

100% Grain (2014 harvest) plus other native feed materials subject to drying e.g. seaweed meal, calcium carbonate.

Reactive Programmes

278 samples of feed materials and compound feeds checked for dioxins.

This is in response to the 2008 dioxin incident.

Reference to detailed area reports

Feed Control In line with Commission recommendation 2005/925/EC specific reports are forwarded to the relevant sections of the Commission.

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/cs/Satellite

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Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Horticulture Controls (Fruit & Vegetables)

Horticulture & Plant Health Division is responsible for implementing controls relating to fresh fruit and vegetables as well as honey (also see below and Section 2 National Control Plan for Ireland for the period from 1st January 2012 to the 31st December 2016). The controls are required by legislation and relate to general food hygiene in terms of fruit and vegetable production. The following EU legislation is applicable: Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 as amended, Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 and Regulation (EC) No 882/2004.



Comments

Contaminants in horticultural produce as per Regulation 1881/2006 as amended

148 samples of Potatoes and other vegetables for Cd and Pb analysis Official samples (PP/W).

100% 148 samples of Potatoes and other vegetables for Cd and Pb analysis Official samples (PP/W).

c. 800samples of potatoes and vegetables for heavy metals (Cd and Pb) (Research Trials).

80 samples of lettuce, spinach and rocket for nitrates (PP/W).

100% Exceeded target number set in 2014 Plan.

20 samples of apple juice taken for patulin analysis (PP/P).

100% Achieved target set in 2014 plan.

Microbiological contamination of horticultural produce as per Regulation 2073/2005 as amended

415 horticultural produce (HP) for Food Safety (Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes).

100% Delivery in line with 2014 Plan.

85 samples of horticultural produce (PP) for process hygiene (E. coli).


175 samples of sprouted seed for VTEC/STEC.


100 samples of water used in PP.


Hygiene Inspections of horticultural producers per Regulation 852/2004 and/or Reg 178/2002 and associated legislation

131 hygiene inspections (PP), 57 follow-up inspections, 7 supervisory checks on inspections completed in 2014.


W=wholesale; R=retail; PP=primary processing

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Plant Health Controls

Section 5 of the National Control Plan for Ireland for the period from 1st January 2012 to the 31st December 2016 covers the control of plant health in Ireland. Detailed reports of the monitoring results, as required under Council Directive 2000/29/EC, are submitted to DG SANTE via the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed ( SCoPAFF). Official surveys were carried out for the relevant harmful organisms in the Annexes of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. All positive findings were notified and appropriate measures were taken for eradication or containment as necessary. In general Horticulture & Plant Health Division is responsible for implementing Plant Health controls, however in the case of potatoes, The Crop Evaluation and Certification Division are involved in sampling and inspecting seed crops for quarantine organisms.

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A summary of Plant Health controls for 2014 are appended to the report as Annex DAFM5.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Milk & Milk Products Controls

Section 2 of the National Control Plan for Ireland for the period from 1st January 2012 to the 31st December 2016 outlines details of official controls implemented by DAFM including control of milk and milk products in Ireland. The Dairy Controls and Certification Division are responsible for carrying out official controls in milk processing establishments which include monitoring, audit, inspection and surveillance of these establishments, including official control procedures relating to the composition and labelling of infant formulae and follow-on formulae intended to be placed on the market in a Member State or intended for export to Third Countries. Controls governing milk and milk products are required by Regulation (EC) Nos. 178/2002, 852/2004, 853/2004, 854/2004, 2073/2005 (microbiological criteria) as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) 1441/2007. The Dairy Controls and Certification Division is also responsible for official sampling of raw milk under the national residue control plan drawn up under Council Directive 96/23/EC. In the infant formula sector controls are implemented in line with Directive 2006/141 (as amended), Directive 92/52 and Directive 1999/21 on dietary foods for special medical purposes. Controls also take into account other cross referenced legislation such as contaminants, additives and purity criteria, food contact materials, labelling, traceability, etc. The Dairy Controls and Certification Division is also responsible for official controls on milk and milk products under Regulation 1069/2009 and Regulation 142/2011 (health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption) in milk processing establishments. Under Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 as amended, the Dairy Science Laboratory in Backweston is the National Reference Laboratory for the following specific parameters; Listeria monocytogenes, Coagulase positive staphylococci, total bacterial count and somatic cell count in raw milk and phosphatase activity in

milk. The three Dairy Science laboratories situated at Backweston, Limerick and Cork are official designated laboratories for testing samples taken during official controls and all 3 are accredited in accordance with the European standards, EN ISO/IEC 17025.



Comments

Sector: Food of animal origin

Milk and milk products

289 planned official controls of milk processing plants, milk purchasers, collection centres and stores. (198 FBOs).

95 %

Target is adjusted to account of official controls which could not be completed because the FBO closed down or were not in production in 2014.

215 planned inspections of milk production holdings.

108 % Successful delivery in line with 2014 plan One holding suspended due to Cat 1 non-compliances detected

7,860 planned samples for food safety, process hygiene, antibiotics and heat treatment verification as per Reg. 2073/2005 (as amended), Reg. 853/2004 and Reg. 2074/2005.

90%

Target has been adjusted to account for FBOs which were closed down or was not in production in 2014. The 7,860 samples equates to approx. 15,746 test parameters.

321 planned samples of water.

112 %

Successful delivery in line with 2014 plan. Target has been adjusted to account for FBOs which were closed down or was not in production in 2014.

196 controls at infant formula/ follow on formula establishments under Directive 2006/141/EC and Council Directive 92/52/EEC

n/a

Successful delivery in line with 2014 planned arrangements. Official samples were tested for compositional analysis, contaminants (including pesticides, lead, dioxin and dioxin-like PCB’s). The total number of tests was estimated at 1229 test parameters.

19



Comments

(European Communities (Infant Formula and Follow On Formula) Regulations 2007.

(Including 131 batches of product sampled for composition and contaminant analysis).

1,134 samples of milk taken for residues under Directive 96/23 in 2014.

100% Delivery in line with 2014 National Residue Control Plan. Results are reported separately by the Veterinary Medicines Division.

10 planned samples for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in raw whole milk, cream and vegetable oils & fats - Regulation 1881/2006 S.I. No 218/2010).

100 % Successful delivery in line with 2014 plan.

Food Contact Material Regulation 1935/2004, Regulation 2023/2006 and Regulation 10/2011.

102 desktop reviews (including 34 as follow up to 2013). 26 FBOs were surveyed for compliance.

Animal By-products (Milk and milk products)

22 inspections carried out and 555 samples taken with respect to the requirements of Regulation 1069/2009 and Regulation 142/2011.

n/a Targets for inspections/audits set down by inspecting officer.

Reactive Programmes

Milk & Milk products

509 unplanned inspection controls of milk processing plants, milk purchasers, collection centres and stores.

These included official controls following the detection of non-compliances during planned inspections, detection of non-compliances during official testing, inspection relating to export certification, registration/approval inspections and re-import related issues (BIPs), on the spot inspections and other official requests.

41 Follow up inspections of milk production holdings.

Follow-up to planned inspections including other requests as necessary.

78 reactive samples for food safety and process hygiene [Reg. 2073/2005 (as amended)].

Samples taken on foot of food safety alerts or process hygiene notifications reported by the laboratory.

25 samples of water were taken as part of follow-up controls.

1 CN1 compliance notice issued relating to a TB outbreak in a herd supplying

Product prohibited from being placed on the market.

20

milk to a raw milk product manufacturer.

1 CN1 compliance notice issued for destruction of raw milk cheese due to presence of VTEC

This related to product detained since 2013

791 samples of casein/caseinate were taken for food safety to support export certification in line with an MOU with US FDA

Samples were tested for Salmonella spp. and phosphatase (all compliant).

Survey for iodine in whole milk, semi skimmed and skimmed milk was conducted from May 2014 to April 2015 in 4 establishments on behalf of the FSAI.

Report is not yet published. Samples were tested in HSE Cork Public Health Laboratory.

7 inspections / audits related to complaints.

Complaints related to foreign objects in milk products and labelling issues and all were closed out.

Animal By-products (Milk and milk products)

3 follow up controls conducted and 16 downstream checks completed with respect to the requirements of Regulations (EC) 1069/2009 and Regulation 142/2011.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Organic Controls

In compliance with Article 27 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007, Ireland has set up an organic inspection system operated by approved Control Bodies (OCBs). There are five Control Bodies approved by DAFM to inspect and to certify organic operators. Furthermore, they also systematically inspect retail outlets, including farmers markets and country markets to ensure compliance with the EU Regulations. Section 2.3 of the National Control Plan for Ireland for the period from 1st January 2012 to the 31st December 2016 set out details of the Control Bodies involved in official controls in the organics sector.

Area controlled Controls applied Comments

Inspections

Agricultural Producers: 1469 Aquaculture: 53 Processors: 256 Importers: 9 Exporters: 3 Other: 15

Target number of inspections met – Successful Delivery of planned inspections carried out.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Honey (Food of Animal Origin)

Horticulture & Plant Health Division is responsible for implementing controls relating to honey. Details of these controls are outline in Section 2 of the National Control Plan for Ireland for the period from 1st January 2012 to the 31st December 2016. These controls are required by legislation relating specifically to animal remedies as well as legislation relating to general food hygiene in terms of honey production.

21

The following EU legislation is applicable to the use of animal remedies on bees: Council Directive 96/23/EC, Commission Decision 97/747/EC, Directive 2001/82/EC, Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010. In addition, in terms of honey production the following EU legislation sets out requirements in terms of general honey hygiene and safety: Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, Regulation (EC) No 854/2004, Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and Regulation (EU) No 931/2011.

Area controlled

Controls applied % of target programme achieved.

Comments

Honey production 7 inspections at apiary level

70%

Target number of inspections not met due to staff shortages and replacement staff needing training before conducting official controls. FBO’s that were selected but not inspected in 2014 have already been or will be inspected in 2015.

Residues in honey

100 targeted honey samples and 5 suspect honey samples were submitted for residue analysis.

100%

Delivery in line with 2014 National Residue Control Plan. 100 samples due. 3 suspect honey samples were taken as part of the follow-up investigations arising from one of the cases of elevated lead in honey detected in 2012. 2 suspect honey samples were also analysed for the presence of antibiotics. All suspect honey samples were in addition to the planned sampling under the National Residue Control Plan.

Reactive Programmes

Residues in honey

Continued follow up action for one FBO in light of elevated lead detected producer’s honey in 2012 and 2013. Sampling in late 2014 identified one case or antibiotic residues in honey. Follow-up action continued into early 2015.

A total of 3 suspect samples of honey were taken during 2014 in response to one of the cases of elevated lead in honey identified in 2012. Investigations into this case were fully concluded in 2014. This producer had a problem with elevated lead in his honey in 2010, 2012 and in one of six suspect honey samples taken in 2013. Sampling in 2014 showed corrective actions implemented had resolved the issue however the producer will still be subject to further sampling in 2015 to confirm the safety of his honey. Traces of antibiotic found in honey were not deemed to represent a food safety risk however a follow-up inspection took place in early 2015 to fully investigate the issue.

Reference to detailed area reports

Honey residues Information can be found in the report of the National Residue Control Plan already submitted to the EU Commission in accordance with the requirement of Council Directive 96/23/EC.

22

Statement of Compliance (9.2)


Overall compliance

Compliance ranges from highly satisfactory to unsatisfactory in a small number of cases. As per VPHIS procedures on enforcement, there are 3 categories of non-compliance: Category 1 Non-Compliances are breaches of food safety or animal health legislation where the Veterinary

Inspector considers that there is a serious and immediate risk to human or animal health in an establishment. Category 2 Non-Compliances are other breaches of food safety legislation where there is a potential threat

to human or animal health. Category 3 Non-Compliances where there have been other technical breaches of the legislation.

Voluntary Closure notices may be submitted by the Food Business Operator to DAFM in certain cases, where the FBO recognises and takes responsibility for serious non-compliances. In these cases, DAFM oversees the remedial actions to full and final close out.

Category 1 non-compliances In 2013, there were a total of 3 Category 1 non-compliances - see Annex DAFM 3 for details.

3 compliance notices B were served by the Competent Authority which serve to suspend an activity / work area

The 3 notices were still in place on 31st Dec 2014, reflecting ongoing enforcement by DAFM and the prevention of any public health or food safety event. There was a decrease in the nos. of Category 1 non-compliance notices served in 2014 when compared to 2013, down from 11 to 3 Compliance B notices and 0 voluntary closure notices. This is a reflection of the on-going effectiveness of official oversight and risk assessed audit procedures and verification of FBO activities.

Totals 2014 Category 1 non-compliances 3 (3 + 0 Voluntary closures)

Totals 2013 Category 1 non-compliances 11

This represents a decrease in the incidence of Category 1 non-compliances.

Category 2 Non-compliances



This represents an increase in the incidence of category 2 non-compliances in 2014.

Category 3 non-compliances

Category 3 non-compliances are not reported to HQ, but are maintained on record at Veterinary office level in each FBO establishment, and are closed out by the OV. The overall compliance levels, taking account of Cat. 1, Cat. 2 and voluntary suspensions by Food Business Operators (FBOs) is largely in line with previous years but with a marked reduction in Category 1 non-compliances and no voluntary closures of establishments effected in 2014.

23


Sector Area controlled Statement of compliance

Food of plant origin

Pesticide residues in/on food (fruit & vegetables) on the Irish market.

Food of plant origin (fruit and vegetables) on the Irish market is generally compliant with pesticide legislative requirements. There is a high level of compliance at 97% in fruit and vegetables available to the public sampled in the framework of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

Pesticide residues in/on food (cereal) on the Irish market.

Food of plant origin (cereal) on the Irish market is compliant with pesticide legislative requirements. The samples taken are 97% compliant with Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. The samples found to be non compliant are rice samples from third countries.

Food of animal origin

Pesticide residues in/on food on the Irish market (kidney fats, milks, eggs, honey and liver).

The monitoring programme indicates that food of animal origin on the Irish market is 100% compliant with Directive 96/23/EC and Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 for pesticide residues.



Feedingstuffs


A high level of compliance demonstrated.

Feed Analytical results were mainly within tolerance.




Contaminants in horticultural crops as per Reg. 1881/2006, as amended.

Food of plant origin on the Irish market is generally compliant with contaminants/hygiene legislative requirements. There is a high level of compliance with contaminants legislation and samples are generally compliant with maximum levels (ML). All samples of apple juice tested complied with the ML for patulin. All samples of lettuce/ spinach/ rocket complied with the ML for nitrates. All samples of horticultural produce complied with the ML for Pb. There were some exceedances for Cd, but research on mitigation strategies is on-going.

Microbiological contamination as per Reg 2073/2005 as amended.

Food of plant origin is generally compliant with microbiological criteria. Two food samples were found to be non-compliant with food safety criteria; Listeria monocytogenes was found in one sample of mushrooms and one sample of mixed salad leaves. Follow-up inspections were performed to identify the cause of the contamination and appropriate controls measures were put in place. All Process Hygiene samples were compliant. Water used for irrigation and washing of RTE food was found to be non-compliant in 19 samples. Water non-compliances were reported for 19 samples due to the presence of E coli/ Enterococci.

Hygiene inspections of horticultural primary producers as per Reg. 852/2004 and/or Reg. 178/2002 and associated legislation.

There is a high level of non-compliance with hygiene legislation by horticultural producers. Non-compliances were recorded for 82 % of FBOs but these are generally of a minor nature and are due to a lack of knowledge among producers and lack of awareness of the risks. Generally, the non-compliances found during inspections can be easily rectified and do not represent a risk to public health. However in 2014 four FBOs were closed due to serious non-compliances. This represents 3% of FBOs inspected in 2014.The four FBOs with serious non-compliances were served legal notices requiring immediately closure of the business as the non-compliances identified represented a serious threat to public health.

24



Plant Health

Plant passports Some minor non-compliances were found with the formatting of these documents.

Quarantine Organisms

See details in Annex DAFM5




Milk and Milk products

The monitoring programme indicates a very high level of compliance in milk processing establishments, infant formula establishments, collection centres and stores during 2014.

88% of major and 77% of minor non compliance alerts (CN1 and CN2 notices) issued during 2014 related to small to medium scale operators.

There was 100% compliance at infant formula/follow-up formula manufacturing establishments in relation to compositional requirements and testing for contaminants.

Overall 97 % of product samples tested were found to be compliant. All major non-compliance related to product manufactured in small scale establishments

93% of official water samples were found compliant; of those found non compliant no major risk was reported.

At primary production level, 60% of production holdings inspected had one or more non-compliance detected. 17% of farms had moderate non-compliances and 56% had minor non-compliances. All of these farms are selected based on risk.

One farm was suspended from delivering milk due to major non-compliances.

Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs samples: No non compliant samples were detected.

Food Contact Material: controls carried out would indicate an improvements in level of compliance is required.

Residue samples: see National Residue Control Plan Report.

Milk based animal by-products: The monitoring programme indicates only 3% of samples of dairy products designated as animal feed material tested non compliant. All non-compliant samples were in respect of Enterobacteriaceae specification and in all cases the appropriate follow up controls were carried out in line with the SOP.



Organic Farming

Organic production and processing

A high level of compliance was detected with organic legislative requirements. A total of 16 non-compliances were imposed during 2014 which represents 1% of licence operators. The majority of which received an additional on the spot inspection by the Organic Certification Body.




Honey

With exception of one producer’s honey showing traces of an antibiotic substance, analytical results indicate that honey is fully compliant with residues legislation.

Honey producers need to improve their level of compliance with the hygiene legislation requirements and in some cases also with animal remedies legislation. While overall the non compliances detected pose a very low risk for consumers, compliance levels need to be improved.

25

What proportion of the checks identified non-compliance (9.2.2.1 & 9.2.2.2)

At a high level within each sector, the non-compliances are categorised into major, moderate and minor and the key areas of non-compliance are listed.


Category 1 non-compliances incorporating the service of an enforcement notice B are all reported to HQ – see 9.2 Category 2 non-compliances incorporating the service of an enforcement notice A are all reported to HQ – see 9.2 Category 3 non-compliances are not reported to HQ, but are collated and managed at local and regional level. Therefore the specific % of the checks that detect any non-compliance is not available. However as the Category 3 non compliances are minor issues, representing technical breaches of the legislation, it can be calculated that the level of checks that detected immediate, serious or potential non-compliance is the total of the Category 1 (3) and the Category 2 (47) non compliances. (2014 - total non-compliances/detections = 50). On that basis, the proportion of checks that identify either Category 1 or Category 2 non-compliances is 50 detections in the course of 5110 official controls i.e. 1% of official controls result in a Category 1 or Category 2 non-compliance being detected.


Sector Area controlled Non-

compliances

Classification of non-

compliances. Comments


Pesticide residues in/on food on the Irish market.

Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 non compliances in 24 out of 905 fruit and vegetables/cereals surveillance sampled. Non compliance in 1 out of 12 fruit and vegetable enforcement sampled.

24 (3%) minor 1 (8.3%) minor

Minor non compliances relate to samples taken randomly, and where risk assessments indicate no short term concern for all consumer types.

Pesticide residues in/on food destined for the Irish market.

Regulation (EU) No 669/2009 In 2014, MRL exceedences detected in 5 out of 106 consignments sampled.

5 (4.7%) minor

Minor non compliances relate to samples when no short term intake concern was identified.


Pesticide residues in/on food of animal origin on the Irish market.

0 (0.0%) samples of food of animal origin contained pesticide residues in excess of an MRL.

All samples of food of animal origin complied with EU regulations.

Pesticide residues in/on infant formula and follow on formula originated in Ireland.

0 (0.0%) samples of infant formula contained pesticide residues in excess of an MRL.

No pesticide residue was detected above the limits of quantification in any baby food sample.

26



compliances



Feedingstuffs


973 infringements detected during inspections.

0 major 871 moderate 102 minor

Moderate and minor infringements mainly concerned deficient sample storage; deficient HACCP plans; hygiene issues and traceability.

Feed

505 cases of analytical results out of tolerance.


The major non-compliance related to 160 tonnes of the liquid sugar / glycerol product which tested positive for the presence of undesirable substance > 5 particles derived from terrestrial animals found which were identified as feather and muscle. The 160 tonnes of the liquid sugar / glycerol product was detained and not permitted to enter the feed chain. Moderate cases included, presence of packaging in surplus food products, salinomycin sodium recovered in non-target feed, arsenic result above the MPL in seaweed meal, quantity of medication and coccidiostat (chlortetracycline, sulphadiazine, amoxycillin, tilmicosin, flubendazole, narasin, monensin sodium) in feedstuffs out of tolerance with declared values. Salmonella Ruiri in feed material (palm kernel expeller). Minor cases mainly involved nutritional constituents out of tolerance with declared values e.g., protein and fibre results.

107 cases of label contravention during inspections and 129 minor cases of incorrectly declared compounds.


Moderate and minor non-compliances relate mostly to non-compliance with Regulation 767/2009 – incorrect declaration of trace elements, analytical constituents such as sodium not being declared, feed material names not in compliance with Community Catalogue of feed materials.

Feed Complaints None


Sector Area controlled Non-compliances

Classification of non-compliances.

Comments


Contaminants in horticultural crops.

Heavy metals.

Minor

Minor non compliances related to ML exceedances for Cd with no consumer risk.

Hygiene Inspections of horticultural primary producers

General hygiene. 7 % Serious/and 93%(Moderate/Minor) Non-compliances.

Minor and moderate non compliances related to general hygiene infringements with no consumer risk. Follow-up inspections were performed in all cases. Serious non-compliances related to general hygiene infringements and also non-compliance for food or water (see below). Follow-up inspections were performed in all cases.

Microbiological Criteria

Serious: 0.5% of food safety samples 19% of water samples non-compliant.

Non-compliances for water samples related to the presence of E. Coli,/ Enterococci in water used for overhead irrigation of ready-to-eat (RTE) crops and/or washing and cleaning. Moderate non compliances also related to lack of implementation of Microbiological Criteria Regulation (Reg. 2073/2005), with potential consumer risk. A sample of mushrooms (RTE) from one producer reported the presence of L. monocytogenes. In addition a sample of mixed salad leaves from a separate producer also reported the presence of L. monocytogenes. In both cases legal

27

Sector Area controlled Non-compliances

Classification of non-compliances.

Comments

notices were issued directing FBOs to take required action. These were the first two findings of L. monocytogenes in horticultural produce at primary producer level.



compliances



Plant Health Plant passports

Some discrepancies noted.

Mostly Minor

Most errors were caused by operator error using incorrect or no Protected Zone or batch codes. Other findings are presented in Appendix DAFM5.


See details in Appendix DAFM5



compliances




Milk and milk products.

Inspections of Food Business Operators 1 major 27 moderate 674 minor

1 major related to a large scale milk processor. See further detail in section 9.2.2.

Milk production holdings inspections 13 major 139 moderate 730 minor

All 13 of the major non-compliances detected related to one primary production holding whose operation was suspended.

Samples for food safety, process hygiene, antibiotics and heat treatment verification 6 major alerts CN1 issued on detection of a pathogen. 9 heat treatment (phosphatase) failures 7 major 2 moderate 49 notifications issued as a result of process hygiene failures. These were all classified as moderate. There were no antibiotics or dioxin failures.

6 major non-compliance alerts all related to the detection of L. monocytogenes in product. All were small to medium scale establishments.

Water 34 moderate

All complaints investigated and closed-out in 2014.

7 complaints received.

7 minor All complaints investigated and closed-out in 2014.

1 compliance notice issued relating to a TB outbreak in a herd supplying milk to a

1 major - Category 1 non-compliance notice was issued.

Product prohibited from being placed on the market.

28


compliances



raw milk product manufacturer.

Milk By-products 7 non-compliances detected.

Samples. Non-compliances were issued due to the presence of Enterobacteriaceae.


Sector Area controlled Non-compliances Comments

Organic Farming

Number of irregularities or infringements found


In relation to non-compliant producers, the non-compliances mainly related to persistent poor record keeping, inadequate animal housing and animals traceability.

Number of measures applied on the lot or on the production run.


The production runs was sold and relabelled as conventional products.

Number of measures applied on the operator


Sanction imposed on operators would be that their licence was revoked for a period of time.



compliances




Honey

Breaches of hygiene legislation identified during inspections of primary producers.

71% of producers inspected had minor non-compliances 29% of producers inspected (2 beekeepers) had moderate non-compliances.

Poor traceability and record keeping especially among small-scale operators were the main problems identified. In 2 beekeeper’s cases inspections identified moderate breaches of hygiene legislation. These related to risks associated with premises / equipment used to deal with honey.

Breaches of animal remedies legislation identified during inspections of primary producers.

57% of producers inspected had minor non-compliances. 14% of producers inspected (1 beekeeper) had a moderate non-compliance.

Poor record keeping was the main problem identified. The one moderate non-compliance related to the administration of an animal remedy to bees after the product’s expiry date.

Presence of antibiotic in honey identified in late 2014.

1 x minor non-compliance identified as part of National Residue Control Plan.

The level of antibiotic present in the honey was not considered to represent a food safety risk however the issue was investigated fully in early 2015.

29

What were the main types of non-compliance identified?


In 2014 the most serious non-compliances were related primarily to:

Labelling and Traceability non-compliances

Non reporting of positive laboratory results to Competent Authority


Area Controlled


compliances detected

Distribution of non-

compliances

Nature of Risk Comments

Sector: Food of plant origin

Pesticide residues in food.

Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 for all sampling types F/V-22 minor Cereal- 3 minor

MRL exceedances are generally random in their occurrence when sampled under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. No pattern, trend or cluster was detected in the 25 (22 imported and 3 domestic) non compliances.

Minor No risk to the Irish consumers for the 25 breaches.

Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 - 5 minor.

4.7% non-compliances found in targeted samples from selected third countries taken under Regulation (EU) No 669/2009.

No risk to Irish consumers from the 5 breaches was identified. One consignment was permitted to enter the country as there was no risk and less than the MRL when 50% uncertainty was applied. Four samples from other consignments breached existing MRLs with 50% uncertainty, and were either destroyed or re-dispatched to a third country.

Sector: Food of animal origin

Pesticide residues in food. of animal origin

No non-compliance detected.

Not applicable


Area Controlled




compliances


Sector: Feedingstuffs


Inspections: 0 major 871 moderate 102 minor

No discernible pattern

No potential impact on humans or animals

FBOs were instructed to take appropriate corrective action

Feed

Analytical results out of tolerance: 1 major. 32 moderate.

No discernible pattern No discernible pattern

No potential impact on humans, however, potential impact on animals. The liquid product stored in tanks at two locations was contaminated with particles of feather and muscle. The

FBOs were instructed to take appropriate corrective action.

30

Area Controlled




compliances


472 minor

No discernible pattern

product was detained and not permitted to enter the feed chain. No potential impact on humans, however, potential impact on animals No potential impact on humans or animals.

Label contravention: 0 major. 82 moderate. 154 minor.

Almost all related in non-compliance as regards Reg (EC) No 767/2009

No potential impact on humans or animals.


Area Controlled




compliances


Contaminants in horticultural crops

Minor.

Non-compliances when produce grown on high soil cadmium sites but no risk to public health.

Risk assessment (using dietary intake and exposure data) did not indicate a risk to Irish consumers.

MLexceedances for Cd are mainly due to the underlying impure limestone geology of the horticultural production region. There is no risk to consumers due to the presence of these ML exceedances.


6% of legal notices (CN1) that were issued were for serious non-compliances. 89% of legal notices were for moderate or minor non-compliances and 5% of notices were issued to lift an enforcement order.

Widespread.

Serious risk to public health in 7% of cases and 89% represent a potential risk to human health.

Non-compliances due to poor controls by primary producers. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge on behalf of producers.

Moderate for microbiological criteria.

Widespread for minor non-compliances.

Potential serious risk to Irish consumers in 0.5% of cases, but other non-compliances do not represent a risk to consumers.

Non-compliances due to inadequate controls by primary producers. Lack of knowledge by producers is the main cause of non-compliance.


Area Controlled




compliances


Plant Passports

Mostly minor.

Confusion among operator as to what information is required on plant passports for different species.

Minor risk to the environment as errors deemed mostly typographical for domestic produce.

Operators where discrepancies were noted were informed of correct use of plant passports.


See details in Appendix DAFM5 below

31


Area Controlled

Classification of non-compliances

detected


compliances


Milk and milk products

Sampling 6 major alerts CN1 issued on detection of a pathogen 9 heat treatment (phosphatase) failures 7 major 2 moderate 49 notifications issued as a result of process hygiene non-compliances. These were all classified as moderate.

6 major alerts from the laboratory resulted in 6 major non-compliance notices being issued. All related to the detection of L. monocytogenes in product. All related to small to medium scale establishments and in all cases FBOs were directed to take appropriate action(s). 7 major heat treatment alerts, CN1, were issued (1 to a large scale establishment and 6 to small scale establishments) 2 moderate alerts, CN2, related to small scale establishments 49 notifications related to the process hygiene criteria exceeded (S. aureus, Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli). These were classified as moderate non-compliances, following inspection. There was no SE detected in 16 instances where S. aureus exceeded 100,000 cfu/g In all cases the FBOs were directed to take appropriate action(s). In 1 case where Enterobacteriacea was detected in whey powder, the FBO voluntarily did not place the product on the market. Follow up sampling, inspections and/or audits were conducted where necessary.

Major Potential risk to consumers – CN1 issued for immediate action Moderate moderate risk to consumers – CN 2 issued relating to process hygiene criteria being exceeded:

S. aureus in excess of 100,000 cfu/g is a major risk if heat-labile enterotoxin is formed in product; all consumers are believed to be susceptible to this type of bacterial intoxication. Product which exceeded the Coagulase Positive Staphylococci criteria at levels greater than 100,000 cfu/g were tested for the enterotoxin; the enterotoxin was not found in any subsequent tests performed.

Enterobacteriaceae are indicators of hygiene, heat treatment efficiency and microbiological quality; this family of bacteria including Salmonella spp. and E. coli as well as environmental species.

E. coli is used as an indicator of faecal contamination. Most E. coli do not cause disease in humans, but certain types may cause diarrhoeal disease or more serious forms of illness.

There was no immediate risk to consumer relating heat treatment verification non compliances following investigation.

1 major as a result of TB outbreak in a raw milk cheese producer.

1 small scale operator.

Risk of transmitting disease to consumers.

32

Inspections of Food Business Operators 1 major 27 moderate 674 minor

1 major non-compliance related to an activity in large scale processor All Moderate and minor non compliances found could be regarded as widespread across all activities and generally related to failures in the FBO’s prerequisite programme and HACCP based procedures.

The major non-compliance related to standardisation of skim milk being carried out in a room unfit for the purpose, which included staff that were not appropriately dressed. Immediate action was taken to avoid risk to the consumer which involved directing the FBO not to use product for human consumption. There was no immediate risk to consumers in relation to the other non-compliances.


All 13 of the major non-compliances detected related to one primary production holding whose operation was suspended. In relation to all the non-compliances, the appropriate Compliance Notices were issued. See Table 9.2.2.3 and 9.4.1

Non-compliances detected on the farm in question were of such seriousness that the milk purchaser was directed to suspend collection of milk from the holding.


Water 32 moderate

Water non-compliances related to the presence of E. coli , and/or Enterococci bacteria in official water samples tested. 93% of official water samples were found compliant (346 samples taken); of those found non-compliant no major risk was reported. 34% of water non compliances related to large scale establishments and 66% related to small to medium scale establishments.

All water non compliances were classified as moderate non compliances following inspection.

Complaints 7 minor

Minor complaints related to foreign bodies and labelling irregularities.

All complaints investigated and closed-out in 2014 without any risk to the consumer being identified.

Sampling Milk by-products

Non-compliances related presence of Enterobacteriaceae in animal by-products.

No risk to the consumer identified as product already designated as former foodstuffs.

33


Area Controlled


detected


compliances


Honey production

Inadequate records –minor non-compliance.

Widespread.

Traceability of produce and record keeping was poor however low risk to human health.

Small scale producers, in general producing less than 1,000 kg of honey, but improved record keeping is required.

Inadequate hygiene controls – moderate non-compliance.

2 cases detected at apiary level.

Risk of contamination of honey [risk to human health].

FBOs were instructed to take appropriate corrective action.

Traces of antibiotic found in honey – minor non-compliance (late 2014).

1 case detected at apiary level through sampling under the National Residue Control Plan.

Level present in honey was deemed not to represent a risk to human health.

As the antibiotic was not authorised for use in connection with bees the issue will be investigated fully in early 2015.

34

Were the non-compliances clustered or randomly distributed?


VPHIS carries out an annual Risk Assessment on each DAFM approved plant to determine the range and extent of official controls in the food business. The risk assessment establishes a risk score for each food business. Based on the outcomes of subsequent audits/verification of controls, the establishment’s risk score may be reassessed as appropriate and the frequency of inspection amended. In general the non-compliances were randomly distributed amongst the approved DAFM plants. However, where a Risk Assessment identifies a food business as having a higher level of risk, which occasion a higher frequency of official controls, then there may be a tendency to have clusters of non-compliances.

35



See point 9.2.

36

What was/were the root cause/s of the non-compliances identified?


Feedback from regional and local VPHIS staff and the analysis of the non-compliances during 2014, led to additional actions, which are intended to address and improve compliance by the FBOs.

Root Causes of the non-compliances

In general, the underlying causes of non-compliances relate to:

Lack of traceability of product, poor record keeping,

Lack of familiarity with obligation as an FBO.

Lack of upskilling of decision makers in relation to food legislation.

VPHIS works with the Department’s Milk & Meat Hygiene Division (MMHD), Meat Policy Division (MeatPD) and the Milk Policy Division (MilkPD) in reviewing existing procedures to implement improvements. Note: Root causes are required when there is an apparent pattern to the non-compliances or where there are repeated offences.


Area controlled


Root causes of non-compliances

Comments

Sector: Food of plant origin.

Pesticide Residues in food.

30 minor

Domestic In the case of 3 MRL breaches for Irish producers, inspections found the following reasons for breaches in vegetables:

Contamination of mushroom from mepiquat-treated straw uses in composting.

No evidence of unauthorised uses on a cabbage or kale on two sites. Root cause unknown.

Imported The majority of pesticide MRL exceedances (22) were associated with produce from third countries. Information for root causes of the non-compliances was not available. Where 3

rd country produce was

involved, warning letters were issued to relevant importers and information was transmitted to the 3

rd country

concerned through CODEX contact point. RASFF notifications indicating a border re-despatch was issued.


Area controlled



Comments


Inspections: 0 major 871 moderate 102 minor

Mainly human/technical error or non-adherence to protocols laid down in quality manuals.

In general, the feed industry is very aware of its obligations in relation to feed and food safety legislative requirements and have invested heavily in systems to ensure that standards are met.

Feed.

Analytical results out of tolerance:

1 major

Presence of undesirable substance > 5 particles derived from terrestrial animals found. One product stored in two locations.

As above

37

Area controlled



Comments

32 moderate

472 minor

Presence of packaging detected in bread sample.

Quantity of medication and coccidiostat (chlortetracycline, sulphadiazine, amoxycillin, tilmicosin, flubendazole, narasin, monensin sodium) in feedstuffs out of tolerance with declared values.

Arsenic result above the MPL of 40 mg/kg set for seaweed meal.

Salmonella Ruiri detected in feed material palm kernel expeller.

Mainly nutritional analytes out of tolerance with declared values.

Mainly human/technical error and manufacturers not updating labels in compliance with Regulation 767/2009

Label Contravention:

0 major

82 moderate

154 minor


Area controlled



Comments


Minor and moderate/serious: General hygiene

Lack of knowledge and poor controls by FBOs.

A new guide is being produced to assist FBOs and will be available by the end of 2015. The use of water for RTE crops remains one of the most serious risks and this is being examined in more detail at present.

Moderate: Microbiological samples

Lack of knowledge and poor controls by producers.

The finding of L. monocytogenes in mushrooms resulted in the industry producing a Challenge Study which was accepted by DAFM and FSAI and resulted in the re-categorisation of mushrooms from 1.2 to 1.3.


Area controlled



Comments

Plant passports

Minor Confusion among operators Correct passporting of plants is identified across the EU as difficult to understand and is being reviewed.


Area controlled



Comments

Milk and Milk Products

Sampling: 6 major alerts CN1 issued on detection of a pathogen 9 heat treatment

6 major non compliances related to L. monocytogenes. 2 of the 6 related to raw milk (unpasteurised cheese), 2 related to ripened cheese made from pasteurised milk and 2 related to pasteurised milk. All 6 related to small scale establishments. These non-compliances

Appropriate action was taken in all cases

38

Area controlled



Comments

(phosphatase) failures 7 major 2 moderate 49 notifications issued as a result of process hygiene non-compliance. These were all classified as moderate

relate to alkaline phosphatase failures in official samples No root cause was determined after extensive investigation in one large scale establishment. In small scale establishments the root cause included incorrect time/temperature, incorrect flow divert settings, incorrect holding time, CIP requiring modification, incorrect operation of PHE, leak, inadequate pump pressure and a malfunctioning thermometer. There were diverse reasons for these failures which included poor microbiological quality of milk intended for raw milk products and poor production hygiene. All cases were investigated including reviewing of heat treatment where necessary and where action was required, this was carried out.

VTEC failures: 1 major compliance notices (CN1) issued related to VTEC

Presence of VTEC in the raw milk used to manufacture unpasteurised cheese (one small scale establishments).

This related to 2013 incident where affected product had been withheld.

1 major as a result of TB outbreak in a raw milk cheese producer. Risk of transmitting disease to consumers

Animal disease – TB.

Inspections of Food Business Operators: 1 major 27 moderate 674 minor

1 major non-compliance related to inadequate structures and hygiene detected in a room where dairy products were being prepared in a major milk processing establishment 2 moderate non-compliances related to procedures to suspend milk producers where TBC and SCC requirements were not met. 2 moderate non-compliances related labelling of raw milk products. 1 moderate non-compliance related to monitoring and recording of temperature of raw milk on arrival at a processing establishment and following cooling. All the other moderate and minor non compliances related to other failures in food safety management systems which are too diverse to categorise.

Milk production holdings inspections: 13 major 139 moderate 730 minor

All non-compliances related to on-farm structural facilities and hygienic practices on milk production holdings.

In relation to the major non compliances the appropriate Compliance Notice was issued to the Food Business Operators prohibiting the collection of milk from the holding in question.

Water: 34 moderate

A small number (4%) of the non-compliances had no root cause found. Of the remainder, non compliances were due to:

water treatment system failures (44 %),

the water source used (44 %),

process equipment

39

Area controlled



Comments

contamination (8%).

7 Complaints

Foreign objects in milk products and labelling issues.


Area controlled



Comments

Honey

Minor non-compliances

Hygiene and animal remedies requirements – minor non-compliances largely due to poor awareness of legislative requirements.

DAFM addressed beekeeping association’s annual meeting to raise awareness of legislative requirements and controls implemented. DAFM’s website developed to provide more information for beekeepers. An article showing how to reduce the risk of lead contamination of honey was published in the beekeeping association’s magazine. In general compliance is acceptable. Where appropriate individual producers need to be informed that their compliance with food hygiene requirements must improve.

Minor non-compliance

Traces of antibiotic found in honey sample taken at apiary level. Follow-up investigation concluded there was no evidence the product was prescribed by a vet or sourced illegally by the beekeeper for use on his apiaries. The bees may have been exposed to the antibiotic during their foraging activity as the apiary involved was located in an intensive dairy farming area.

Beekeeper and in particular honey from the apiary involved will be subject to further inspection and sampling in 2015.

Moderate non-compliances.

Hygiene issues associated with honey processing equipment / facilities and use of veterinary medicine post expiry date.

In general compliance is acceptable. Where appropriate individual producers need to be informed that their compliance with food hygiene requirements must improve.

40

Actions to ensure compliance by Food and Feed Business operators and other relevant business operators with official controls (9.4.1)


Actions taken to deal with non-compliances

Veterinary Inspectors have been given the necessary powers under national legislation to take appropriate enforcement actions in the case of non-compliances or breaches of the regulations. In order to determine the appropriate enforcement actions to take in response to breaches of food safety legislation it is essential that non-compliances are categorised according to the risk which is posed to human health. Non-compliances may be categorised as major or minor. See point 9.2 for details of enforcement action in 2014. Where there has been persistent non-compliance, or where there has been a failure to take adequate corrective action in response to previous notices the Veterinary Inspector may decide to recommend to his/her hierarchy that the closure or suspension of activities may be appropriate. A compliance notice may be issued to suspend a particular activity but if the approval of an establishment is to be suspended or revoked, this must be conveyed by letter from the relevant Division When issuing a suspension notice the Veterinary Inspector must consult the Regional Superintending Veterinary Inspector who is required to obtain the approval of the appropriate HQ Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector for the issuing of the notice. Each Veterinary Inspector is required to maintain in the Veterinary Office (in respect of each approved plant for which he/she is responsible) an Enforcement File containing all enforcement notices issued. The Veterinary Inspector must check the Enforcement File regularly to ascertain the progress being made in correcting non-compliances and to ensure that any specified deadlines set in the notices are respected. To ensure that enforcement is appropriate, dissuasive and effective, HQ actively engages with regional and local officers where major or minor enforcement issues are involved. Meetings between relevant personnel from HQ, regional, local staff and the Food Business Operator take place routinely. The actions taken by VPHIS in conjunction with Milk and Meat Hygiene Division to ensure compliance by Food and Feed Business operators and other relevant business operators with official controls.

Trader Notices

There were 46 trader notices issued by Meat Hygiene Division to the meat industry in 2014. Trader Notices are used by the Department to inform industry of various important developments including e.g. new certification requirements for third countries, new legislation, changes in sampling requirements etc. Trader Notices are a useful method of ensuring that industry is made aware in a timely manner of developments in relation to compliance requirements. All trader notices are copied to VPHIS staff and are also placed on the DAFM website. During 2014, Trader Notices were issued by the Meat Hygiene Division which encompassed information and guidelines to industry on Third Country Certification, reduction of salmonella prevalence on pig carcases, on farm emergency slaughter of cattle, certificates of competence for animal welfare officers and slaughter plant operatives, contingencies for African swine fever and avian influenza outbreaks.

Trader Notices 2014

Trader Notice MH 46/2014 - Export of Beef to Singapore - updated list of approved plants

Trader Notice MH 45/2014 - Procedures associated with application by Animal Welfare Officers for Certificates of Competence required under Regulation 1099/2009

Trader Notice MH 44/2014 - Exclusion of Kidneys from Bovines Classified as Cows (D) and Bulls (B) from the Food Chain

Trader Notice MH 43/2014 - Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Europe and in the UK

Trader Notice MH 42/2014 - Repealing the Voluntary Beef Labelling (VBL) Provisions of Ref 1760/2000

Trader Notice MH 41/2014 - Procedures associated with application for Certificates of Competence by slaughter plant operatives required under Regulation 1099/2009

Trader Notice MH 40/2014 - Temporary restrictions on the importation from EU countries into the Russian Federation of certain additional meat products including beef fat

Trader Notice MH 39/2014 - Revised Health Certificate for the Export of Fresh Pigmeat to Canada

Trader Notice MH 38/2014 - Sanitation of Gambrels in Pig Slaughter Plants

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreupdateoflistofplantsapprovedtoexportdebonedbeefDec2014100215.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNAWOApplicationforCoCs100215.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNAWOApplicationforCoCs100215.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TraderNoticeMH442014ExclusionofKidneys261114.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TraderNoticeMH442014ExclusionofKidneys261114.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TraderNoticeMH432014AvianFlu261114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/RepealofVBLTraderNoticeFinal261114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/RepealofVBLTraderNoticeFinal261114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/NewTNCertsofCompetence2014121114.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/NewTNCertsofCompetence2014121114.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNregardingbanonbeeffat121114.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNregardingbanonbeeffat121114.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNrerevisedcertforexportoffreshpigmeattoCanadaOct2014121114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNGambrelsOct14121114.pdf

41

Trader Notice MH 37/2014 - Amendment to the veterinary health certificates for the export of Poultry, Beef and Pork from Ireland to Hong Kong

Trader Notice MH 36/2014 - Export of Bovine Fat to the Customs Union

Trader Notice MH 35/2014 - Export of Frozen/Processed Poultry Meat to Singapore

Trader Notice MH 34/2014 - Export of fresh meat and meat products of bovine origin to New Caledonia

Trader Notice MH 33/2014 - Approved Hunter Training Courses

Trader Notice MH 32/2014 - Revision of the EU/NZ Health Certificate for the Export of Pigmeat to New Zealand

Trader Notice MH 31/2014 - On Farm Emergency Slaughter of Cattle

Trader Notice MH 30/2014 - Export of pigmeat to Vietnam

Trader Notice MH 29/2014 - Reminder of seriousness of Listeriosis following outbreak in Denmark and Macedonia

Trader Notice MH 28/2014 - Agreement with the Republic of the Philippines on Meat Export

Trader Notice MH 27/2014 - New health certificate for the export of unskinned large wild game to another member state

Trader Notice MH 26/2014 - Trained Persons in Health & Hygiene with respect to Wild Game

Trader Notice MH 25/2014: Ban on the import from EU countries into the Russian Federation of trimmings, meat shavings, oesophagus meat and boned meat by-products of all species

Trader Notice MH 24/2014 - Revised Health Certificate for the Export of Fresh Pigmeat to Canada

Trader Notice MH 23/2014 - Amendment to the veterinary health certificate for the export of sheepmeat from Ireland to Singapore

Trader Notice MH 22/2014 - Temporary Restrictions on the export of beef offals to Russia

Trader Notice MH 21/2014 - Testing for Escherichia coli O157

Trader Notice MH 20/2014 - Reduction of Salmonella Prevalence on Pig Carcases

Trader Notice MH 19/2014 - New Veterinary Health Certificate for the Export of Fresh Pigmeat to Canada

Trader Notice MH 18/2014 - Export of fresh/frozen meat of Bovine, Ovine or Caprine origin to Namibia

Trader Notice MH 17/2014 - Revision to Supplementary Health Certificate for the Export of Pigmeat to the USA

Trader Notice MH 16/2014 - Procedures associated with application for Certificates of Competence by Slaughter Plant Operatives required under Regulation 1099/2009

Trader Notice MH 15/2014 - Official controls relating to animal welfare in slaughter plants under the supervision of the Department

Trader Notice MH 14/2014 - General Information for meat industry operators involved in the export of meat to Hong Kong

Trader Notice MH 13/2014 - Additional Reference List of Russian Federation Legislation for FBOs producing Meat and Meat Products

Trader Notice MH 12/2014 - Minimum Reference list of Russian Federation/Customs union Legislation for FBOs producting Meat and Meat Products

Trader Notice MH 11/2014 - New health certificate for the export of sheepmeat to Hong Kong

Trader Notice MH 10/2014 - African Swine Fever

Trader Notice MH 9/2014 - Export of Pig and Poultry meat to the Russian Federation/Customs Union (RF/CU)

Trader Notice MH 8/2014 - Export of Meat and Raw meat preparations derived from Cattle to the Customs Union

Trader Notice MH 7/2014 - Export of food to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Trader Notice MH 6/2014 - Additional Requirements for the Export of Certain Pork Products to the Russian Federation/Customs Union

Trader Notice MH 5/2014 - Ban on the Export of Pork and Pork Products from the European Union to the Russian Federation

Trader Notice MH 4/2014 - Export of Cooked Meat Products of Bovine and Ovine Origin to Lebanon

Trader Notice MH 3/2014 - Export of Fresh Meat/Meat Products of Ovine Origin to Lebanon

Trader Notice MH 2/2014 - Export of Fresh Meat/Meat Products of Bovine Origin to Lebanon

Trader Notice MH 1/2014 - Procedures for the export of Chilled or Frozen Beef and Beef offal to Japan

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreamendedPoultryBeefPorkcertOct14121114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreamendedPoultryBeefPorkcertOct14121114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNRFCUBovineFat121114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNPoultryMeatOct2014051114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreNCbeefcertificateOct2014041114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreNCbeefcertificateOct2014041114.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNMH332014approvedhuntertrainingcourse300914.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TradernoticereRevisionofEUNZhealthcertificateexportpigmeat300914.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TradernoticereRevisionofEUNZhealthcertificateexportpigmeat300914.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TraderNotice312014.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreexportofporktoVietnamApr2014290814.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNMH292014ListeriosisDenmarkMacedonia1482014290814.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNMH292014ListeriosisDenmarkMacedonia1482014290814.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/RevisedTNreexportofmeattoPhilippines280814.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNMH272014UnskinnedLargeWildGameHC110814.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNMH272014UnskinnedLargeWildGameHC110814.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/MHTN262014WildGametrainedPersons210714.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TN252014regardingbanmeatshavings180714.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TN252014regardingbanmeatshavings180714.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TN2414newCanadianpigmeatcert010714.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TN2314newsheepmeatcertJune14.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TN2314newsheepmeatcertJune14.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TN2214temporaryrestrictionsbeefoffalJune14.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNVTECX2014v10190614.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TnMH202014180614.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreexportoffreshpigmeattoCanada180614.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreexportoffreshpigmeattoCanada180614.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/NamibianBovineOvineCaprineCertTNApril2014010514.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/NamibianBovineOvineCaprineCertTNApril2014010514.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNrerevisionofsuppcertforpigmeattotheUSAFeb2014010514.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNrerevisionofsuppcertforpigmeattotheUSAFeb2014010514.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNCertsofCompetence140414010514.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNCertsofCompetence140414010514.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/AnimalWelfareSOPTN090414.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/AnimalWelfareSOPTN090414.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreexportofinjectedmeattoHongKong010414.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNreexportofinjectedmeattoHongKong010414.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNSupplementaryRFLegislationMeat011414.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNSupplementaryRFLegislationMeat011414.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNRFCULegislation140514.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNRFCULegislation140514.doc

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TN112014.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TN102014.doc






http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TradernoticereexportofcertainporkproductsfromtheEURussia180214.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TradernoticereexportofcertainporkproductsfromtheEURussia180214.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TradernoticerebanonexportofporkporkproductsfromtheEUtotheRF110214.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TradernoticerebanonexportofporkporkproductsfromtheEUtotheRF110214.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNrecookedmeatscert7114110214.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNresheepmeatcert7114110214.pdf

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2014/TNrebeefcert7114110214.pdf



42

Industry Updates Routinely updating Industry on meetings in Brussels in relation to changes in legislation, interpretations of the Hygiene Package and derogations. This is of particular importance taking account of the review of the Hygiene Package and Regulation 882/2004, as well as the introduction of Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 – Food Information to Consumers and Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1337/2013 Country of Origin Labelling.

Meetings with Industry Ongoing meetings were held with industry representatives at which a range of issues were discussed. These

meetings included:

There were 6 DAFM / Meat Industry Ireland meetings held in 2014 the following is a list of the items

discussed:

Registration of meat traders/agents

Lean review – update

Cost avoidance/recovery proposal – unused portion of TVI shifts

Export Markets – Russian Federation/Customs Union issues – United States Department of Agriculture - China – Canada

Hygiene Package – update

Clean Livestock Policy – repeat offenders

Reg. 1099/09 – training

Animal By-Products updates

National Control Plan - Reference Laboratory Methods

FVO Programme of Audits & Inspections 2014

Official controls relating to use of Sodium Hydroxide for processing of bovine body parts - Approval process for use of caramel in meat preparations (Reg. (EC) No. 1333/2008)

Verocytoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) - EU commission guidance on application of Art. 14 of Reg. (EC) No.178/2002

United States Department of Agriculture Approval – update

VTEC Guidance Document

Mechanically Separated Meat

Minced meat compositional criteria & labelling

Emergency on-farm slaughter of animals

Listeriosis – outbreak in Denmark and Macedonia

Voluntary Beef Labelling

Meat Inspection - pilot projects on the detection of C.bovis

Beef Voluntary Labelling

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy -Specified Risk Material list: draft Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 999/2001- update

Addition of standard conditions of approval - lab notification of positive/inconclusive results, and - compliance with Health & Safety legal provisions relating to shared workplaces

Sheep Traceability - Labelling of place of rearing (Art 5, Reg. (EC) No. 1337/2013

Self monitoring programme (Anthelmintic testing)

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Standard for Edible Meat Co-products

Data capture in Beef Slaughter plants

Updating Industry on the third country requirements

Routinely updating Industry on the third country requirements for trading with Russia, Russian

Federation/Customs Union and USDA requirements and meetings between the Commission and the RF.

There were 3 DAFM/Irish Association of Pig Processors meetings held in 2014. The following is a list of the

items discussed:

43

Russian Federation/Customs Union: (i) Suspension of imports from EU; (ii) Audit update

Salmonella Control Programme

Traceability – information requests re (i) meat traders and (ii) trade with Local Authority approved plants,

Pig condemnation data 2013

Animal Welfare at time of killing - Reg. (EU) No. 1099/2009

Trichinella testing

Cost avoidance/recovery proposal – unused portion of TVI shifts,

Russian trade issues

Canada trade issues

PEDv (porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus) situation

Traceability – information requests re (i) meat traders and (ii) trade with Local Authority approved plants

Agreement of Third Country Market Requirements - consultation with industry

VPHIS held 3 meetings with individual FBOs. The following items were discussed:

Non reporting of positive laboratory results to DAFM

Specific operational matters

Meetings with the Milk Industry

Meetings with the Milk Industry took place in 2014 and similar meetings will continue in 2015. There were 3 DAFM/Milk industry meetings held in 2014. The following items were discussed:

Meetings related to the running of the National Milk Agency

Meeting related to specific operational matters

In some instances, action other than enforcement action may be appropriate to ensure compliance by the FBOs e.g. training, stakeholder meetings and other consultative engagements.

Monitoring of the effectiveness of official controls continues to be done by Regional SVIs and HQ. Each VI produces a quarterly report for each establishment and sends it to the RSVI. The RSVI produces a quarterly report, based on the VI returns, for each region and sends it to HQ.

Verification of the effectiveness of official controls is conducted by RSVI annually at each establishment. Audit reports are sent to HQ as VIs in future will be spending more time auditing the food business operators performance, more emphasis will be given to this role of RSVI as verifier of the effectiveness of official controls.

When other duties permit, HQ SVIs and SSVIs visit establishments and verify the effectiveness of official controls.

Audits which are external to VPHIS (IAG, FSAI, FVO) give an overview of the effectiveness of official controls. Every effort is made to close out any recommendations from these audits in a timely manner.

Meetings with Industry involved a means of stakeholder feedback, and informs improvement and revision of the systems.

VPHIS Training

The Performance Management Development System of DAFM allows for personnel to identify and state their training needs. Arising from the needs identified by staff, allied to the needs arising from external audits, changes in /new legislation, a range of VPHIS Veterinary and Technical staff attended courses during 2014. See Appendix DAFM4 for full details of training courses attended by VPHIS Veterinary and Technical staff in 2014. During 2014, training needs for VPHIS in 2015 were identified as follows:

44

Veterinary staff training needs profile for 2015: 1. Reg. 2073/2005, Food Information for Consumers (FIC ) and Country of Origin Labelling (COOL )

Training

2. Contingency Planning - Regional Foodborne Outbreak Simulation Training

3. On-site training for USDA official controls

4. Workshop on USDA sampling procedures (carcase and N60) – video and

5. On-line training provided by the FSAI:

a. -Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Reg (EC) 1169/2011

b. -Food information for Pre-packed foods

c. -Nutrition information under FIC Food Contact Materials

6. Training on new Enforcement Standard Operating Procedures

7. Regional Workshops on Food information for Pre-packed foods; Nutrition information

a. under FIC and Food contact materials

8. Additional training will be provided under the Performance Management Development System

(PMDS) programme where a need has been identified and agreed with line management.

Technical Staff training needs profile for 2015:

1. Regional Workshops on Food information for Pre-packed foods; Nutrition information under FIC and Food contact materials

2. Completion of Investigative Skills training

3. Aids to Private Storage of Pigmeat training

4. On-line training provided by the FSAI:

1. -Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Reg. (EC) 1169/2011

2. -Food information for Pre-packed foods

3. -Nutrition information under FIC Food Contact Materials

4. On-site training for USDA official controls

5. Training on new Enforcement SOP

6. Additional training will be provided under the Performance Management Development System (PMDS) programme where a need has been identified and agreed with line management.

Sector Actions to ensure

compliance by FBOs Actions to improve

performance of FBOs

Actions to improve performance of Official

Control system

Animal By-Products

Removal from register, Closure, issue notices followed by re-inspection

Advice/information provided Training provided

Animal welfare

Cross reporting (to single farm payment section), restriction on animals following checks at slaughter.

Continued checks and education, information provided

Training provided

ERAD

Restrictions on animal movement, financial penalties viz-a-viz test payment or loss of compensation entitlement as appropriate, penalties on farm support payments, prosecution

Livestock marts Warning letters, continuous inspections

Provide information and training

Training and consistent application of the regulations

Animal medicines

Increased sampling at slaughter, increased testing of milk,

Inspections, checks on records

45


Sector Area Controlled

Control actions. Action details. Comment

Food of Plant Origin

Pesticide residues in food

Letters issued to FBOs involved in each MRL breach. Follow up inspections on domestic growers to identify root cause of non-compliances. Consignments found to be non-compliant with regard to pesticide residues were not allowed to enter the Irish market.

In 2014, three domestic growers were found to be in breach of MRL residue legislation. No risks to the consumer were identified from the consumption of the produce (cabbage, kale & mushrooms).

Food of Animal Origin

Pesticide residues

No action required

Pesticide residues in Infant formula

No action required




Feedingstuffs

Feed Business Operators and Feed.

Restrictions/Prohibitions on the sale of feed materials / compound feed.

2 cases of detention of feed following analysis result.

1 Major non-compliance in product stored in two locations belonging to the same company, with three samples taken from each location tested positive for the presence of undesirable substance > 5 particles derived from terrestrial animals found. Product was detained and not permitted to enter the feed chain.

46



Trader notices issued 6 Notices Issued

Trader notices 4 and 5 disseminated the national production statistics for compound feedingstuff.

Trader notices 1,2,3,6 focus on the following:

TN1. Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 of the European Parliament and of the council laving down requirements for feed hygiene (S.l. No. 432 of 2009 as amended). Notification of Imports of Feedingstuffs.

TN2. EU Feed Hygiene and EU Feed Marketing Regulations (all feeds) b. Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 as amended, lays down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE Regulation) (all feeds) c. Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 and Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 lays down rules for the use of products of animal origin in animal feeds (Animal By- Product Regulations) (feeds containing products of animal origin such as milk powders, whey, tallow, fish oil, fishmeal, dicalcium phosphate of animal origin etc.). TN2 addresses the information required for export certification for animal feedingstuffs being exported to Non-European Union (EU) Countries.

TN3. Regulation 483/2014 on Protection Measures in relation to Porcine Diarrhoea.

TN6. Survey on the Manufacture of Medicated Feedingstuffs and Feedingstuffs containing Coccidiostats.

Destruction of feed material consignments.

Two consignments of the same product in 2014 were detained and not permitted for sale on the market. The investigation is still ongoing.

Two consignments of the same product stored in two locations belonging to the same company, with three samples taken from each location tested positive for the presence of undesirable substance > 5 particles derived from terrestrial animals found. Product was detained and not permitted to enter the feed chain. The investigation is still ongoing.

Administrative fines/sanctions. No fines issued in 2014.

47



Withdrawal or Suspension of Approval/Registration.

No withdrawal or suspension of FBO licences.


Area Controlled Control actions. Action details. Comment

Contaminants in horticultural crops

Follow-up inspections and research on mitigation strategies.

Research is on-going to devise mitigation strategies to reduce uptake of Cd by crops. A 4 year research project commenced in 2012. 3 project meetings held in 2014.

Hygiene Inspections of horticultural primary producers.

Follow-up inspections to ensure remedial actions carried out Increased official controls. A total of 131 FBOs were inspected in 2014.

114 CNs issued in 2014.

Other State agencies updated on non-compliances.

Teagasc and Bord Bia informed.

New guide being produced.

DAFM collaborating with FSAI to produce a guide to assist FBOs comply with hygiene legislative requirements.

Trader notices issued to sprouted seed producers informing them of changes in legislation.

Trader notice issued to all mushroom producers re use of unauthorised plant protection products.




Plant Health Outlined in Annex DAFM5

48




Compliance notice- Category 1 (CN1)

Compliance notice-Category 2 (CN2)

Compliance notice- Category 3 (CN3)

Compliance notice-Withdrawal (CN4)

Compliance notice- Processing direction (CN 5)

Notification of proposal to suspend/ revoke approval and/or registration (PRO)

Notification of decision to suspend/revoke approval and/or registration (DEC)

Proposal to Approve or Conditionally Approve or Register (APPR)

Compliance notice- Category 1 (FCN1)

Compliance notice-Category 2 (FCN2)

Compliance notice- Category 3 (FCN3)

Compliance notice-Withdrawal (FCN4).

16 Compliance notice- Category 1 (CN1) (one of which related to product withheld since 2013 due to VTEC)

84 Compliance notice-Category 2 (CN2)

196 Compliance notice- Category 3 (CN3)

215 Compliance notice-Withdrawal (CN4)

24 Compliance notice- Processing direction (CN 5)

0 Notification of proposal to suspend/ revoke approval and/or registration (PRO)

0 Notification of decision to suspend/revoke approval and/ or registration (DEC)

36 Proposal to Approve or Conditionally Approve or Register (APPR)

1 Compliance notice- Category 1 (FCN1)

44 Compliance notice-Category 2 (FCN2)

18 Compliance notice- Category 3 (FCN3)

61 Compliance notice-Withdrawal (FCN4).



Control Bodies

Total number of OCB inspections carried out, 1,805 including 1,469 agri-producers, 53 aquaculture production, 256 processors, 9 importers, 3 exporters and 15 other. (Figures include additional risk based visits)

4 compliance measures applied to agricultural producers, 1 to a processor and 1 to an importer.

Control regime via OCBs effective.

Measures applied on a lot or a production run.

4 agricultural producers and 6 aquaculture producers had measures applied to a lot of a run.

E.g Removal or organic status overseen by DAFM as competent authority.



Honey

Prohibition on movement or consumption of honey / use of equipment in light of 2012 cases of elevated Pb concentration in honey.

Compliance Notices used where necessary. Both 2012 cases of elevated Pb concentration in honey now fully resolved.

Where appropriate, notice issued outlining specific action required for each individual producer / packer / distributor to achieve compliance with hygiene / animal remedies requirements.

Written notice allowing reasonable period of time to achieve compliance. Follow-up inspections where appropriate.

49

Actions to ensure effectiveness of Official Controls (9.4.2)

On a general note, all Divisions take account of the reports from both internal and external audits when planning controls. Furthermore, a DAFM Agricultural Inspectorate Management/Co-ordination Committee is in place and meets twice a year to review and manage selected control programmes forming part of the MANCP.


Monitoring of the effectiveness of official controls is done by Regional SVIs and HQ. Each VI produces a quarterly report for each establishment and sends it to the RSVI. The RSVI produces a quarterly report, based on the VI returns, for each region and sends it to HQ. Verification of the effectiveness of official controls Is conducted by RSVI annually at each establishment. Audit reports carried out by RSVIs are sent to HQ. As VIs in future will be spending more time auditing the food business operators performance, more emphasis will be given to this role of RSVI as verifier of the effectiveness of official controls. When other duties permit and in response to identified need, HQ VIs, SVIs and SSVIs visit establishments and verify the effectiveness of official controls. Audits which are external to VPHIS (IAG, FSAI, FVO) give an overview of the effectiveness of official controls. Every effort is made to close out any recommendations from these audits in a timely manner Meetings with Industry [see point 9.2.2.3] involved a means of stakeholder feedback, and informs improvement and revision of the systems.



Control actions Action details Comment


Pesticide residues in food.

Programme reviews yearly and response to RASFF notifications.

Annual revision of control programme. 1x yearly reviews of progress with FSAI. Increase analytical scope to incorporate single residue methods in line with recommendation by the Commission 1 meeting on EU coordinated plan with MSs and Commission.

Update programme to take account of the most recent monitoring information from current programme and requests by the Commission.

Internal meetings between Division and laboratory.

Scope and capacity of laboratory incorporated into plan.

Training programmes. All staff receive regular training including appropriate BTSF courses.

50




Feedingstuffs

Feed Business Operators and Feed

Review annual control programme periodically.

Internal meetings.

Meet with linked Divisions and relevant outside Agencies to review and update work programme.

Liaise with the FSAI and the State Lab. as required.

Action taken to remedy non compliances detected.

Inspections, re-analysis, detention of product.

Risk based control programme.

Update risk assessments.

Trade informed of policy and legislative changes.

Trader notices issued.

Internal audit. Remedy audit findings. New legislation. Inform trade.

New or revised procedures.

Update procedures manuals; staff training as appropriate.

In 2014, there were 2 days of training provided for inspection / technical staff. The training provided focused on HACCP, Labelling, and sampling guidelines.


Area Controlled


Hygiene and Contaminants of horticultural produce

Programme reviews.

Annual revision of control programme. 1 yearly review of progress with FSAI. 2 MANCP Board meetings.

Programme updated by taking account of the most recent monitoring information.

Training programmes.

All staff receive regular training. In addition system of supervisory checks implemented in 2014 to verify quality of work.

In 2014 at least two training courses attended by all staff. All staff received at least one supervisory check in 2014.

Attend Conferences/Meetings etc.

Contact with other MSs, current research.

Meet with linked Divisions and relevant outside Agencies to review and update work programme.

Liaise with other DAFM divisions, the FSAI, Teagasc, Bord Bia, HSE and the State Lab. as required.

Internal meetings. Staff kept informed of changes. All staff made aware of updates.


Area Controlled


Plant Passports

Update plant passport information.

Liaise with business operators.

Quarantine organisms

Producers informed of requirements.

Meetings with producers to raise awareness.

51


Area Controlled



Programme reviews.

Meetings which took place in 2014: 6 meetings of Inspectors. 1 inter divisional meeting with Veterinary Medicines. 1 inter divisional meeting with Feed Division. 1 meeting with Bord Bia. 1 meeting with Assistant Secretary General. 2 Business Plan meetings. 2 MANCP Board meetings. 2 FSAI Liaison meetings. 14 Special memoranda re SOP revisions. National Supervisory System for Staff Performing Official Food Safety Controls SOP 16 was impacted in 2014 by 50% reduction of supervisory staff. In 2014, there were 73 supervisory controls undertaken (including 17 accompanied inspections) in 2014.

Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011

Legislation is monitored with emphasis on dealing with any gaps that are identified. Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC) came into effect on the 13th December 2011 and applied from 13th December 2014. A working group was set up to review legislation requirements in 2014.

New guidance documents.

New guidance documents are circulated as they become available.

Training programmes.

Staff members attended the following:

Course/Seminar No. of courses

Total No. of Participants

BTSF Additives 1 5

BTSF Flexibility 1 2

Labelling Workshop-FIC 1 6

Milk Quality Workshop 1 30

Ice Cream Science & Technology 1 2

Vtec Conference 1 3

Teagasc Cheese Symposium 1 2

Johnes Disease Lecture 1 6

Dairy Processing Innovation Moorepark

1 6

National Dairy Conference 1 6

Special initiatives.

A working group on laboratory related issues remained in place. Attendance continued at Teagasc Milk and Product Forum. Progress continued throughout 2014 on introducing an IT system for reporting official controls (AFIT).

Audit findings, etc Programme reviews took account of findings of audit reports such as internal audit, FSAI and FVO.


With the coming into force of Regulation 392/2013, a review of organic controls to further strengthen their effectiveness was initiated. Witnessed audits of Control Bodies inspection work were introduced and there was participation as observers at Organic Bodies Certification Panel meetings (where CB inspection reports are adjudicated upon). There was also regular interaction with CBs through a structured forum - to discuss issues around control activities. Enhanced channels of communication were maintained between all actors in sharing information of operator compliance to ensure compliance. Continued upskilling of DAFM organic auditiors was put in place to provide them with the competencies to effectively audit the control system.

52


Area Controlled


Honey

Action taken to remedy non compliances detected.

Compliance / written notices issued. Follow-up inspections where appropriate.

Risk based control programme.

Programme regularly updated in light of experience.

Training and supervision of inspectors.

All inspectors trained in honey sampling, hygiene and animal remedies inspections before commencing work in this area. Supervisory checks implemented to verify quality of work.

Beekeepers informed of requirements

Meetings with beekeepers, DAFM website developed and notice published in beekeeping magazine to raise awareness.

Audits carried out as provided for in Article 4(6) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004

The Irish MANCP is delivered on a sectoral basis with each sector audited as required by Article 4(6) of Regulation 882/2004. Audits of controls implemented by DAFM’s Agricultural Inspectorate are currently carried out by DAFM’s Internal Audit Unit which is completely independent of the inspectorates control activities. A charter and protocol for the conduct of these audits are in place. The audits focus on the areas of the MANCP, which come within the remit of the Agricultural Inspectorate:

Dairy Controls and Certification Division.

Dairy Laboratory Division.

Feedingstuffs, Fertiliser, Grain and Poultry Division.

Pesticide Controls Division.

Organic Controls.

Pesticides, Plant Health, & Seed Testing Laboratories Division

Horticulture and Plant Health Division.

Crops Evaluation and Certification Division. A risk based approach is taken when developing the annual audit programmes and Commission Decision 2006/677/EC gives guidelines on the conduct of audit under Article 4(6) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2204. The following table gives an overview of the outcome of the 2014 audit programme.

Sector Audit title Audit completed Y/N, if N give reason.

Effectiveness/suitability of the Official Controls

National Reference Laboratories (NRL)

Audit conducted on National Reference Laboratories’ (Agri-cultural Inspectorate) compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 and with the recommendations contained in ‘‘Guidance for Irish National Reference Laboratories and Official Laboratories on the Implementation of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 for Feed and Food, Animal Health and Welfare Rules.

Completed in 2014

Three DAFM agri-laboratories which operate as NRLs for a number of different parameters were involved in the audit. Compliance with the requirements of the regulation and the guidance document was discussed and supporting documentary evidence was obtained and examined. The level of involvement and interaction between the NRLs, the Community Reference Laboratories and Official Laboratories conducting analysis of official samples varied by laboratory and there may be further scope for NRL involvement with Competent Authorities and Official Laboratories.

Infant Formulae and Follow-on formulae.

Audit on the DAFM controls over the production and placing on the market infant formulae and follow-on formulae.

Finalised in 2015

Details of official control are set out in a range of SOP’s. Checklists are also available for officers to use when conducting routine inspections and audits of general food law, hygiene and Infant Formulae/ Follow-on Formulae requirements. Inspection and sampling in relation to food safety and hygiene requirements are conducted at a frequency based on risk assessment and the number of inspection and/or samples required are set out in annual plans. Sampling for constituents and contaminant is done at a frequency set out in special memorandum issued throughout the year and is based on the capabilities and the capacity of the laboratories. Issues were identified in relation to laboratory accreditation and turn-around times for analytical results at the time of the audit.

53

Statement of Overall compliance by sector

The strategic objectives set out in the MANCP are being progressed through co-ordinated and consistent control programmes. In the main the controls in place are effective and broadly reflect legislative requirements. Levels of co-operation and co-ordination both between and within Divisions have improved contributing to the overall achievement of the strategic objectives as set out in the MANCP.


The overall compliance of the Food Business Operators is generally satisfactory, and where it is not, effective, dissuasive and proportionate action can be taken by the VPHIS.

54

Statement on the overall performance

The strategic objectives set out in the MANCP are being progressed through co-ordinated and consistent control programmes. In the main the controls in place are effective and broadly reflect legislative requirements. Levels of co-operation and co-ordination both between and within Divisions has improved contributing to the overall achievement of the strategic objectives as set out in the MANCP.


Sector Area Controlled. Comment

Food of Plant Origin

Pesticide Residues in food

Effectiveness and suitability of MANCP.

Pesticide residues are effectively monitored and controlled.

Risk based official controls. Yes. Analysis of results. Acceptable. Suitability of performance indicators.

Programme targets met for 2014.


Area Controlled. Comment

Feed Business Operators and Feed


Good progress in achieving strategic objectives of the MANCP in respect to all stages of production, processing, storage, distribution and use of feed. Good coordination between CA’s.

Risk based official controls. The risk based targeting of official controls is in operation.



Hygiene Inspections. Contaminants of horticultural produce


Overall programme is effective. New legislative requirement and therefore initially would expect high level of non-compliances.

Risk based official controls.

New risk-based system has been developed and implemented, based on updated information received from a survey of all FBOs in 2013 and 2014.

Analysis of results. Satisfactory.

Suitability of performance indicators.

Satisfactory.




Programme targets met for 2014

55





Continued progress made in achieving strategic objectives of the MANCP in respect of processing of milk and milk products, with on-going programme reviews and revisions of standard operating procedures necessary. The operation of an supervisory system for Staff Performing Official Food Safety Controls were impacted by a 50% shortage of field staff at supervisory level. Market access issues (thirdcountry audits etc) and other investigations also impact on delivery of supervisory controls. There was an improvement in reaching the set down targets for official controls in 2014 v 2013.

Risk based official controls. Yes.

Analysis of results. Satisfactory.


The measurement of controls applied as a percentage of set down targets is working well as a performance indicator. However, ongoing review of targets is necessary. Additional staff assigned to official controls contributed to overall improvement in targets being met.


The organic controls system is operating satisfactorily in Ireland. The organic control regime is under constant review with renewed emphasis on the further development of the risk based control regime. DAFM as competent authority is engaging with all organic stakeholders to establish communication lines where any issues that are a threat to the integrity of the organic product can be quickly assimilated, circulated and acted upon. The Organic Unit is in constantly engages with the 5 CBs operating in Ireland to ensure the effectiveness of the control system.



Honey


Satisfactory; the programme is allowing effective monitoring and control in the honey sector.

Risk based official controls. Risk based controls are in operation.

Analysis of results. Analysis of results is effective in identifying areas where honey producers need to improve compliance.

56

Comment on the appropriateness and suitability of the MANCP - Did the programme of OC’s identify any necessary amendment to MANCP

No

57

9.6 Amendments to the national control plan Indicate any changes made to the MANCP during the year to which the report relates. The nature and reason for the amendments should be described.

MANCP to be updated in respect to resources used to implement the control programme.

58

ANNEX DAFM1 - VIAP Risk Assessment Form

59

VIAP Risk Assessment Form

Risk Assessment to Plan the Frequency of Audits VI Checks at Food Establishments [Other than slaughter activities].

Name of Plant_______________________ Plant No______ Plant type

Cutting MM+M Preps

Meat Products Egg Products

Milk Cold Stores

Approval (Tick)

RTE

Non-RTE

RTE = Ready to eat; MM = Minced Meat; M Preps = Meat Preparations

Risk Criteria Scoring Scheme

Risk Score

Type of Plant (RTE or Non RTE) RTE Score 12 Non RTE Score

3

Category 1 Findings (1 or more)* Yes: Score 6 No : Score 0

Category 2 Findings (3 or More) Yes: score 6 No: Score 0

Category 2 Findings (Less than 3) Yes Score 3

No Score 0

Category 3 Findings (3 or More) Yes Score 2 No Score 0

Category 3 Findings (less than 3) Yes Score 1 No Score 0

Legal Enforcement Notices (Other than those issued as a result of a VIAP)

Yes: Score 6 No Score 0

Overall Score

Score: 3 = I audit per year Score: 4 -6 = I Audit + 1 unannounced Inspection Score: 7-11 = 1 Audit + 2 unannounced Inspections Score: 12 = 2 Audits per year Score: 13-14 = 2 Audits + 1announced Inspection Score: 15-17 = 2 Audits+ 2 unannounced Inspections Score: 18 or greater = 2 Audits + 4 unannounced Inspections A significant non-compliance found during official controls (including those on imported products) should prompt a consultation with the RSVI to discuss enforcement action and a review of the risk assessment at that establishment. At the next visit the VI must carry out a further risk assessment. If there is still significant non-compliance, a review of the plant’s approval will be carried out by the RSVI in consultation with HQ Frequency Level of VI Checks to be carried out at above named Plant for Year ended 2013 : ___________________________ __

Note: Additional checks may be carried out over and above the prescribed frequency level at the direction of the RSVI or HQ.

Date Risk Assessment Performed _____________ Risk Assessor__________________

Agree with VI Risk Assessment

60

RSVI---------------------- Date--------------------------------- Notes Each establishment is to be risk assessed by the VI responsible for the relevant plant after the VIAP audit and this RA sets the frequency and type of follow up inspections and close out verifications to be carried out in that plant for a year. * The Plant is to be scored only once under audit findings at the highest scoring category eg In the event of a Category 1 finding and less than 3 Category 2 findings the Plant scores 6 and not 8 under findings.

61

ANNEX DAFM2 - SVI Risk Assessment Form

62

SVI Risk Assessment Form Risk Assessment to Plan the Minimum Frequency of Regional SVI Audits at Food Establishments.

Name of Plant:____________________________________ Date Assessment Performed:________________________ Risk Assessor:____________________________________

Risk Criteria

Scoring Scheme

Risk

Score

Level of overall compliance including compliance with Compliance Notice “A” [or equivalent] and CARs, which were issued during the previous year

in relation to structural defects, operational deficiencies, inadequate sanitation, inadequate sampling or unsatisfactory product .

Score 1 to 4¹

Was it necessary to issue a Compliance Notice “B” [or equivalent VC1]

during the previous year in relation to suspension of activities or to reduce throughput?

Score 1-4²

Was it necessary to issue a compliance Notice “A” during the previous

year?

Yes: Score 2 No: Score 0

Are there effective QC and Own Checks programmes in place at the

plant?

Score 1- 4

1

Is there an acceptable HACCP programme in place at the plant?

Score 1 –4

3

Nature of product (high, medium or low risk)³

Score 1 –4³

Does the VI require additional support (new recruit or other reasons)?

Score 1-4¹

Overall Score

Score

Frequency of Inspection

6-12

Level 1 for the plant type

13 - 18

Level 2 for the plant type

19 - 26 Level 3 for the plant type

A score in excess of 19 should prompt a formal review of the plant’s approval by the SVI

63

1 Score 1 = very good, 2 = satisfactory, 3= marginal , 4 = unsatisfactory.

² 1=No Notice. 2=VC1. 3=Serious reason for issuing notice such as breach of SRM protocols etc. 4= Very serious reason ie an immediate public health risk.

³ Nature of product is deemed to be a risk criterion. The following are examples of the different risk categories:

Low Risk Product (1) = Raw Medium Risk Product (2) = Comminuted Raw and Sliced Cured High Risk (3) = Cooked non RTE (4) Very High Risk = RTE products.

Minimum Frequency levels of RSVI visits at Food establishments based on risk assessment.

Level 1= annually. Level 2 = Every 6 Months. Level 3 = Every 4 Months.

64

ANNEX DAFM3 - 2013 - Summary of Legal Notices served

65

Establishments Total 15A

Total 15B

Voluntary Closure

Slaughtering Plants (Incl. Farmed Game and Poultry)

27 1 0

Cutting Ests. Attached to Slaughter Ests. 4 0 0

Stand alone Cutting Ests. 6 1 0

Minced meat & meat preps Plants

0 0 0

Meat products Plants 4 0 0

Wild Game Handling Plants 0 0 0

Cold Stores. 6 1 0

Egg Product Plants 0 0 0

Sub Total 47 3 0

Total 47 3 0

66

ANNEX DAFM4 - VPHIS Training

67

VPHIS Training

The Performance Management Development System of DAFM allows for personnel to identify and state their training needs. Arising from the needs identified by staff, allied to the needs arising from external audits, changes in /new legislation, a range of VPHIS Veterinary and Technical staff attended the following courses during 2014:

Veterinary Training - 2014

Course/Seminar No. of

courses Total No. of

Participants1

Total No. of Staff Days

2

Animal Health & Welfare Bill 1 1 1

Biocide and Additive Training 1 47 47

BTSF Seminar Multiple 56 280

Computer Excel Introduction 1 1 1

Computer Word Intermediate 1 2 2

CVRL Scientific Seminar 1 26 26

DVO Training 1 2 2

Health & Wellbeing 1 7 7

HSRMS Training Seminar 1 2 1

Induction 1.5 Day 1 1 1.5

Interviewee Preparation 1 2 1

Investigation Skills - 1.5 day 1 12 18

Level 1 Management Training 1 2 4

Level 2 Management 1 5 10

Mentor Mentee Training 1 3 1.5

Misc. Conference/Seminar 1 3 9

Presentation Skills 1 2 4

Project Management Course 1 2 4

Retirement Planning Course -2D 1 2 4

RF/CU Pre Audit Seminar 1 54 27

Time Management 1 2 2

VPHIS Seminar(Update) Multiple 75 75

VIAP 1 10 10

Totals 319 538

Technical Training - 2014

Course/Seminar No. of

courses Total No. of

Participants1

Total No. of Staff Days

2

Food Additives and Biocides 1 126 126

Russian Federation Pre-Audit 1 34 34

Microsoft Excel 1 7 7

Microsoft Word 1 2 2

Effective Meetings 1 1 1

Conflict Management* (1 staff member attended for 2 days)

1 4 5*

BTFS 1 1 1

68

Land law and Probate 1 5 5

Level 1 Management course 2 2 4

Level 2 Management course 2 2 4

Mentoring 1 1 2

Negotiations Skills Course 1 1 1

Presentation Skills course 1 4 4

Rendering Plant Audit Course 2 1 2

Report Writing 1 1 1

First Aid 1 13 13

Time Management 1 7 7

TAO Training Course 1 6 6

USDA Plant Approval 1 27 27

Pre Retirement Course 2 1 2

VIAP Training 1 3 3

Manual Handling 1 16 16

Customer Care 1 1 1

VPHIS Workshop 1 129 129

Investigative Skills course 1 94 94

Project Management 2 2 4

Totals

491 501

1 Total No. of VPHIS Participants = Total no. of Meat Division attendees for a course/seminar.

2 To estimate “Total No. of Staff Days” per course/seminar, “Staff Days for each course/seminar” is added up.

“Staff Days for each course/seminar” = the time involved (to the nearest ½ day - including time spent getting to and from the training) multiplied by the no. of VPHIS attendees.

69

ANNEX DAFM5 - Plant Health Control information.

70

Harmful Organism Reason for Survey Survey period

Survey Location

Host Plants Target % Completion

Findings Outcome Comments

Ralstonia solanacearum Brown Rot

EU Survey Council Directive 98/57/EC.

September to July

National. Solanaceae spp. Seed and ware potatoes

100% 531 samples analysed - no positives found

Country freedom maintained

No positives since findings in 2007. In addition 40 samples were taken from imported potatoes.

Clavibacter michiganensis Ring Rot

EU Survey Council Directive 93/85/EEC.

September to July

National. Solanaceae spp. Seed and ware potatoes

100% 531 samples analysed - no positives found

Country freedom maintained

In addition 40samples were taken from imported potatoes.

Globodera spp. Potato Cyst Nematode

EU Survey Council Directive 2007/33/EC.

October to August

National. Fields intended for planting and ware survey

Solanaceae spp. and Narcissus

All ground intended for potato certification and 0.1% of ware ground

100% 823 samples analysed 13 samples of seed potatoes infested and 12 samples non-seed potatoes infested.

On the basis of survey, PCN is present on the Irish territory.

Meloidogyne spp. Root Knot Nematode

EU Survey. November to March

National. Potatoes Potato crops 100% 54 samples - no positives found

Country freedom Reduced samples is due to the change in labs from Teagasc to AFBI

Bemisia tabaci Tobacco whitefly

Protected Zone (PZ). Continuous National. Numerous, but high risk species are Euphorbia pulcherrima & Ocimum spp.

Imported plants and nurseries along with wholesale inspections

100% 1422 visual inspections, 4 samples submitted to entomologist with 2 findings on imported material.

Appropriate measures taken, eradication of pest at producer

PZ maintained

Leptinotarsa decemlineata Colorado beetle

Protected Zone (PZ). Spring / Summer

National Wholesale and retail level as well as growing potato crops.

Potatoes and leafy vegetables

Potato seed crops and merchant/wholesaler premises

100% No insects found PZ maintained

Liriomyza bryoniae Leaf miner

Protected Zone (PZ). Continuous National. Numerous Flowers and Plants as this pest is very polyphagous

100% 1262 visual inspections. 8 samples submitted to entomologist with 5 findings on imported material.

Appropriate measures taken, eradication of pest at Producer

PZ maintained

Erwinia amylovora Fireblight

Temporary

Protected Zone (PZ).

June to October

Registered nurseries, garden centres, orchards, public parks & private gardens.

Amelanchier spp. Chaenomeles spp. Cotoneaster spp. Crataegus spp. Cydonia spp. Eriobotrya spp. Malus spp. Mespilus spp. Photinia davidiana Pyracantha spp.

All registered nurseries visually inspected along with other locations where positives were found in previous years. 1600 samples for laboratory analysis

100% 1235 samples analysed, 11 positives at 6 sites.

All positive plants and other nearby host plants were destroyed.

Our temporary PZ was reviewed in March 2014. Due to the repeated fireblight findings in Galway city, Galway city lost its PZ for fireblight.

71


Survey Location



Pyrus spp. Sorbus spp.

Chalara fraxinea Ash dieback

To determine the prevalence and extent of the disease in Ireland.

July to October

Registered Nurseries, Garden Centres, Public Parks & Private Gardens

Fraxinus spp. Samples taken from Nureseies, garden centres, roadsides, agri-environmental planting, private gardens, public greens and hedgerows.

100% 750 samples submitted between AFBI and Plant Health Laboratory.

Organism found in 15 locations as follows: Hort. Nurseries 3, Private Gardens 3, REPS/AEOS 2 Roadside Planting 7

A survey will be carried out during the summer of 2015 to help determine if IE can apply for a PZ for Chalara.

Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus

Protected Zone (PZ). Nov / Dec National – Field grown host plants

Beets 194 samples for laboratory analysis

100% 194 samples were submitted to Plant Health Laboratory. No findings of the organism.

PZ maintained.

Phytophthora ramorum

EU emergency legislation Commission Decision 2002/757/EC as amended.

Dec 1 2013 to Nov 30 2014 Continuous

Registered Nurseries, Garden Centres, Public Parks & Private Gardens.

Wide range of woody plants with ever increasing host range.

All registered producers and locations with previous findings visually inspected twice per year.

100% 492 samples to laboratory with 31 positive sites.

Appropriate measures taken at infection sites.

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Red palm weevil


Continuous Registered Nurseries, Garden centres, Public Parks & Private Gardens.

Palmae spp. Visual inspections of host plants.

100% 50 nurseries/garden centres and 10 public green sites inspected. No Findings of organism.

No findings. Unlikely to be found or become established here.

Dryocosmus kuriphilus Oriental chestnut gall wasp

EU emergency legislation Commission Decision 2006/464/EC.

Continuous Registered Nurseries, Garden centres, Public Parks & Private Gardens.

Castanea spp. Visual inspections of host plants.

100% No findings. No findings. Unlikely to cause economic loss here.

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Western Corn rootworm

EU emergency legislation Commission Decision 2003/766/EC was repealed however national programme continued.

June to October

Ports Airports and Motorway service stations and maize fields near these locations.

Maize Place and collect traps from all these locations as selected annually.

100% 116 traps recovered with no findings

No findings of Diabrotica in Ireland to date

Diabrotica was delisted as a harmful organism under Directive 2000/29/EC. Ireland will continue to survey for the pest.

Pepino Mosaic Virus EU emergency legislation Commission Decision 2004/200/EC.

May to November

Wholesalers retailers and Tomato Fruit Growers.

Tomatoes Visual inspections of all tomato fruit growers and inspections at

MS no longer obliged to carry out a survey for Pepino Mosaic Virus

72


Survey Location



wholesale retail level.

Anoplophora chinensis Citrus longhorn beetle


Ongoing 1 April ‘14 to 31 March ‘15

Registered nurseries, garden centres, public parks & private gardens.

Wide range of woody plants with ever increasing host range.

All registered premises inspected.

100% 484 nurseries/garden centres and 158 public green areas inspected. No findings.

Potato spindle tuber viroid

EU emergency legislation Commission Decision 2007/401/EC.

May to November

Wholesalers, retailers and tomato fruit producers.

Potatoes, tomatoes, ornamental solanaceae and Brugmansia spp.

All tomato and ornamental producers inspected as well as tomato inspections at wholesale retail level.

100% No findings.

Guignardia citricarpa & Xanthomonas campestris Citrus black spots

EU emergency legislation Commission Decision 2004/416/EC, as amended.

May to November

Wholesalers and retailers.

All citrus fruits, however the legislation requires additional requirements for citrus from Brazil

Wholesale and retail inspections.

100% No findings. As these pests only harm citrus, they will have no impact here.

Ditylenchus dipsaci Stem and bulb eelworm

EU legislation Council Directive 2000/29/EC.

March to April Commercial daffodil crops.

Narcissus and Allium spp.

Suspect material sent for analysis.

100% 31 samples. No findings.

Various EU legislation Council Directive 2008/90/EC.

May to October

Producers. Fruit plant propagating material.

All producers. 100% No adverse findings.

Various quarantine pests

EU Council Directive 2000/29/EC.

Continuous. National. As per Annexes of Directive.

Various Appropriate actions take on any findings

General plant health inspections for quarantine pests

73

Health Service Executive (HSE)

The food safety remit of the Health Service Executive is delivered through a service contract under the FSAI Act 1998 with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The HSE / FSAI service contract details the food safety work to be undertaken by a number of services within the HSE, including:

1. Environmental health services (EHS)

2. Food safety laboratory services (9 Official Laboratories)

3. Public health medical services

The official controls undertaken by the HSE include; inspections, audits, sampling & analysis, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, rapid alert follow up and complaint investigation. The EHS of the HSE undertakes official controls in the following sectors:

Retail sector establishments (including retail and catering)

Manufacturers of food of non-animal origin

Certain other food manufacturers/processing establishments

Certain wholesale/distribution operations

Certain approved establishments

Imports of food of non-animal origin

During 2014, the EHS was responsible for the supervision of 44453 establishments, most (28,843) of which were in the service sector (see Annex HSE1 for more information).

MANCP Section

Title Information


FSAI Guidance Note 1 (GN1) sets out proactive inspection frequencies for inspection of food businesses supervised by the Environmental Health Service (EHS) of the HSE. The most recent version of GN1 (Revision 2) has 6 risk categories and outlines the risk categorisation process and inspection frequencies, provides for classification of non-compliances & inspection outcomes and includes a requirement for priority action lists to ensure that effective / timely enforcement action is taken where appropriate. GN1 (Rev 2) became fully operational in January 2012 (see Annex HSE1, table HSE3). GN1 (Rev. 2) outlines a process for prioritising other official controls ahead of planned inspections based on risk. The level of priority is determined by the severity and the likelihood of the risk occurring. Accordingly priority is given to each of the following: food outbreaks; food alerts; food complaints where there is a serious risk to consumers; food businesses where enforcement action is current or may be required following inspection; insufficient confidence in management and/or the food safety management systems to ensure food safety; where the inspection outcome is Grade 5 (Unsatisfactory Serious) or where there have been 2 or more consecutive Grade 4 (Unsatisfactory Significant) inspection outcomes; in the case of obstruction. Import controls – All food consignments imported which are subject to additional controls to receive the additional official controls required by legislation. EHS takes samples from food business establishments under their supervision to support inspection activity and verify compliance with legislation. Samples are submitted for analysis to one of the HSE’s six food microbiology laboratories (for microbiological analysis) or the three Public Analyst Laboratories (for chemical analysis). One of the Public Analyst’s Laboratories (Dublin) carries out both chemical and microbiological analysis. Any non-compliance is followed up by the EHS and corrective action taken, where required.

74

Outputs

In 2014 there were 31070 planned and planned surveillance inspections carried out (see Annex HSE1, Table HSE6), as well as 4614 ‘other’ inspections.

The HSE is responsible for carrying out checks on food of non-animal origin at point of entry into Ireland. Checks carried out include random checks and mandatory checks required on foot of EU Emergency Decisions or “Safeguard Measure”. All food consignments subject to these additional controls received the required checks in 2014.

Annex HSE1 (Tables HSE7 & HSE7a) shows the total number of samples tested in the last five years for microbiological and chemical/physical parameters. Since 2009 there has been a significant reduction, which reflects a move towards more targeted sampling at central manufacturing and distribution points, away from retail level sampling and reflects a move to multi-parameter testing .


Overall compliance The summary data presented in Annex HSE1 (Table HSE8 and Table HSE8a)- indicates that 3366 infringements were detected in 2014 by HSE inspectors a considerable reduction on the previous year. The number of enforcement actions, which relate to serious food safety risks / non-compliances, (see Annex HSE1, Table HSE9) indicates a high level of compliance overall and a reduction in enforcements over the previous year.

9.2.2.1 & 9.2.2.2


See Annex HSE1, Table HSE1

What were the main types of non-compliance identified Infringements observed during inspection

See Annex HSE1, Table HSE8a

Infringements from chemical/microbiological sampling

See Annex HSE1, Tables HSE7 and HSE7a. Typical infringements for the chemical/physical testing of food relate to labelling or compositional requirements; these include for example foodstuffs containing food additives that are not included in the list of ingredients. Non-compliances are followed-up by EHOs, with action proportionate to the nature of the infringement. In cases where sampling indicates that foods presenting a danger to health have been placed on the market, the FSAI is informed. If the food has been exported, the FSAI can issue notices to the country concerned via the Rapid Alerts System for Food and Feed (RASFF).


Randomly distributed


All non-compliances and inspection outcomes must be assessed and classified accordingly. This is documented in FSAI Guidance Note 1 (Rev. 2). Inspections with outcomes Grade 4 (Unsatisfactory Significant) or Grade 5 (Unsatisfactory Serious) will be likely to result in a formal enforcement action being served on the food business. The formal enforcement actions taken in 2014 are in Annex HSE1, Tables HSE9 and HSE9a.


Data is not available centrally on this

9.4.1


Enforcement action was taken where appropriate. The formal enforcement actions taken in 2014 are in Annex HSE1- Tables HSE9 and HSE9a.


Guidance Note 1 (Rev2) places a strong emphasis on taking effective and timely enforcement action where appropriate. This approach is reflected in the in enforcement actions taken in 2014. Effectiveness (which is defined as meeting FSAI HSE Service Contract requirements), is ensured by inclusion of the FSAI HSE Service Contract in operational plan requirements, reviewing whether actions and targets are achieved and taking corrective action, carrying out file reviews and joint inspections of

75

establishments were necessary, being subject to audit by the FSAI and following up on corrective actions. The EHS is developing an internal audit function.

9.5


Overall the level of compliance of Food Business Operators supervised by the HSE is generally satisfactory, and where it is not, effective, dissuasive and proportionate action can be / is taken by the EHS.


Did the programme of OC’s identify any necessary amendment to MANCP? No

76

ANNEX: HSE1

77

2011 2012 2013 2014

Number of Establishments 47057 46011 43419 44511

Number of Establishments Inspected 27055 26032 30172 26179

Number of full and surveillance programmed Inspections

33756 30633 31855 31070

Number of Infringements 10132 12142 7093 3366

Table HSE1: No. of establishments, establishments inspected, inspections and No. of establishments committing infringements 2011 to 2014

2011 2012 2013 2013

Primary Producers 23 21

Manufacturers & Packers 2253 2534

Distributors & Transporters 1487 1472


724 695

Retailers 11166 10978 10,972 11259

Service Sector 31404 30311 28,214 28843

Transporter 64 80

Importer/Exporter 73 79

Manufacturers 2,864 3039

Not Assigned 42

Packers 92 100

Wholesalers/Distributors 1,098 1111

Total 47057 46011 43419 44511

Table HSE2: No. of establishments (by food chain stage)

2011 2012 2013 2013

1 155 135 132

2 2193 2157 2141

3 16664 13314 13450

4 10907 13415 13652

5 13794 11188 10506

6 1671 1392 4144

High 23498

Low 17734

Medium 5925

No Rating

Total 47,157 45,384 41,601 44453

Table HSE3: No. of establishments (by risk category)

78

2011 2012 2013 2013

Primary Producers 28 37 15

Manufacturers & Packers 1,753 2,047 2,019

Distributors & Transporters 762 819 774


812 689 308

Retailers 8510 7806 7583 7703

Service Sector 26108 25186 23272 24383

Manufacturer 2162

Wholesaler/ Distributors 691

Packer 67

Transporter 27

Importer/ Exporter 20

Total 37973 36584 33971 35053

Table HSE4: Inspections (by food chain stage)

2011 2012 2013 2013

1 582 441 356

2 4982 4489 4649

3 23911 20104 19689

4 9222 10279 11514

5 5250 4630 4711

6 328 240 318

High 33777

Low 7020

Medium 5659

No Rating

Total 46456 44275 40183 41435

Table HSE5: Inspections (by risk category)

2014

Risk Category Planned

Inspections Other

Inspections

Programmed Surveillance Inspections

1 130 45 37

2 2022 423 1221

3 9872 2169 4751

4 6584 1461 2093

5 3375 390 644

6 199 45 58

No rating 56 81 28

Total 22238 4614 8832

Table HSE6: Inspections (by type) 2014

79

Samples Non-

Compliant % with

contamination

2010 4712 224 4.75%

2011 3331 197 5.91%

2012 3314 226 6.82%

2013 3113 223 7.16%

2013 3354 564 16.82%

Table HSE7: Samples (Chemical/ Physical)

Samples Non-

Compliant % with

contamination

2010 10396 1,172 11.27%

2011 8465 733 8.66%

2012 7112 880 12.37%

2013 6441 484 7.51%

2013 6977 386 5.53%

Table HSE7a: Samples (Microbiological)

2011 2012 2013 2014

Primary Producers 3 2 0

Manufacturers & Packers 287 483 282

Distributors & Transporters 91 160 89


250 435 94

Retailers 1913 2347 1319 528

Service Sector 7588 8715 5309 2699

Manufacturer 92

Wholesaler/ Distributors 47

Packer

Transporter

Importer/ Exporter

Total 10132 12142 7093 3366

Table HSE8: Infringements by Food Chain Stage

80

2011 2012 2013 2014

Infringement Number % Number % Number % Number %

Chemical / Physical Contamination

347 3.42% 104 0.86% 61 0.86%

Microbiological Contamination

53 1.57%

Other Contamination 80 2.38%

General Hygiene 4431 43.73% 5148 42.40% 3143 44.31% 1290 38.32%

Labelling & Presentation 785 7.75% 2232 18.38% 404 5.70% 103 3.06%

Risk Assessment / HACCP 3294 32.51% 3444 28.36% 2339 32.98% 852 25.31%

Traceability 347 10.31%

Training 1170 11.55% 1105 9.10% 811 11.43%

Hygiene Training

588 17.47%

Notification/Approval Notification/Approval

Notification/Approval




Notification/Approval 53 1.57%

Other (specify) 105 1.04% 109 0.90% 335 4.72%

Total 10132 100% 12142 100% 7093 100% 3366 100%

Table HSE8a: Infringements details

Enforcement type 2011 2012 2013 2014

Closure Order 65 90 118 95

Improvement Notice 281 302 314 265

Improvement Order 7 3 5 1

Prohibition Order 10 11 19 11

Total 363 406 456 372

Table HSE9: Enforcements

Enforcement type 2011 2012 2013 2014

Service Sector 55 79 89

Retailers 7 9 19

Primary

Manufacturer Selling Direct 1

Manufacturer/Packer 2 3 5

Distributors/Transporters 1 6

Total 66 91 119

Table HSE9a: Closure Orders

81

Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

The SFPA undertakes official controls in the following areas: • Approved Establishments • Other Food Businesses (Excluding Fin-Fish farms, Shellfish Production, Vessels) • Bivalve Shellfish Production • Vessels • Inspection of Fish at Landing or First Sale • Animal By-Product Official Controls During 2014, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (www.sfpa.ie) was responsible for supervising 2,761 establishments, fishing vessels, ice plants and molluscan production areas. On aquaculture sites, fin fish routine inspections are carried out by DAFM veterinary staff with non-compliances investigated by the SFPA. SFPA is responsible for following-up on non-compliant results in samples taken as part of the national residues monitoring programme. No non compliances were detected in 2014. As of the 31 December 2014 there were 179 “Manufacturers & Packers” and 2,211 food business operators classed as primary producers under SFPA supervision. Of the approved establishments under SFPA supervision, high risk FBOs accounted for 58, with 68 categorised as medium risk and 53 as low risk. The SFPA committed the equivalent of 40 WTE staffing resources to food safety and official controls in 2014.

http://www.sfpa.ie/

82

MANCP Section

Title Information


Number planned

Appropriate official control checks were required to be carried out by SFPOs (Sea Fisheries Protection Officer) in 92% of approved establishments in 2013

The recommended frequency for vessel inspections was once per vessel per annum with priority to be given to vessels >15m.

Factory and Freezer Vessels are required to be approved by the SFPA; therefore, the inspection frequencies and procedures for approved establishments also apply

Trip Hygiene Inspections (hygiene inspections that focus on fish caught during a given fishing trip) were targeted to be carried out on all vessels including factory and freezer vessels at the following frequency

o Vessels <15m, once per year o Vessels >15m, 4 per year (1 per active quarter)

Fish being landed at Irish ports were targeted for inspection at a minimum frequency of once per active quarter per vessel (pelagic vessels may be active for only 1 or 2 quarters of the year); for 2014, this was applicable to all vessels > 15m. For demersal vessels, it is recommended that 3 species are assessed per inspection

Other Food Businesses (Excluding Finfish farms, Shellfish Production, Vessels) were scheduled to be inspected by SFPOs once or twice per year, depending on the risk presented

Shellfish production areas were scheduled for monthly monitoring

Completed 2821 Inspections carried out in 2014 comprising of :

Primary Producers 399

Manufacturers & Packers 2398

Distributors & Transporters 24 32% of this inspection effort was focused on high risk food business operators. Land based establishments accounted for 2428 inspections. The SFPA also carried out 331 consignment inspections and issued 4122 health certificates. The fishing port of Howth accounted for the largest number of certificates (2270) with products bound for Hong Kong accounting for the largest number of health certificates by destination (2106). A total of 390 staff days in 2014 were committed to food fraud investigations. 1861 food (shellfish) samples were taken by Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers in 2014.


Overall compliance Overall compliance in this sector was generally acceptable

9.2.2.1 & 9.2.2.2


A detailed inspection report is written up following each inspection identifying any non-compliances found during the course of the inspection, where necessary enforcements were issued. During 2014, 11 enforcements were served by the SFPA as a result of non-compliances found in contravention of EU food legislation.


Non compliances included structural deficiencies, inadequate food safety management systems, and deficiencies in hygiene, non-compliant microbiological product results, inadequate documentation and traceability.


Non-compliances were randomly distributed


Non compliances found which resulted in enforcements being served were major and moderate, 80% and 20% respectively.


Where appropriate, non-compliant FBOs received verbal or written warnings for minor non-compliances. More serious contraventions were dealt with through more formal means such as the service of compliance notices to remedy issues. Where FBOs required further training, advice or technical assistance they were referred to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (the Seafisheries Board) or the FSAI’s advice line.

83

9.4.1


Describe, giving the number of the various types of enforcement action deployed such as verbal warning, written notice, fixed penalty notice, restriction, premises closure, seizure/detention of animals or product, prosecution Actions taken to deal with non-compliances

7 Compliance Notices served 2 FSAI Act Prohibition Orders put in place 2 FSAI Act Improvement Notices served


The SFPA on its own initiative and with the assistance of other agencies provides training to its staff to support their professional development and skills in the area of food safety and official controls. In 2014, 33 SFPA staff spent a total of 138 training days spread across 10 different training courses or events (including five FSAI Training / Seminar events). The SFPA also committed 133.5 staff-days to other food safety related engagement activities. The SFPA also spent 10 staff days in internal audits and 109 staff days preparing for and participating in 5 FVO audits. The FSAI carried out an audit of cold stores which required the participation of the SFPA. This commitment resulted in the SFPA expending 8 staff days on preparation and participation for this audit.

9.5


Overall compliance within the sector is good


Did the programme of OC’s identify any necessary amendment to MANCP No

84

ANNEX: SFPA1

85

2011 2012 2013 2014

Primary Producers 1931 1951 1708 399

Manufacturers & Packers 396 414 799 2398

Distributors / Transporters 3 15 26 24

Total 2330 2380 2533 2821

Table SFPA1: Number of inspections, 2011 – 2014.

2011 2012 2013 2014

High 199 221 203 388

Medium 129 113 74 378

Low 83 95 142 455

Total 411 429 419 1221

Table SFPA2: Number of inspections by risk category, 2011 – 2014.

2011 2012 2013 2014

Processing Plant 2398

Approved Establishment 402

Aquaculture Sites 0 0 0

Factory & Freezer Vessels 0 22

Factory Vessels 3

Fishing Vessels 363 206 140 268

Freezer & Factory Vessels 15 15 22

Freezer Vessels 122

Ice Plants 8 6 2 6

Land Based Est 396 414 397

Molluscan Production Areas 1,545 1,724 1,522

Other FBOs 0 0 0

Registered FBOs on Land 3 15 26 24

Total 2,330 2,380 2,533 2821

Table SFPA3: Number of Inspections by business type, 2011 – 2014.

86

Local Authorities (LA) The local authorities are responsible for official controls in the following areas:

Low throughput slaughterhouses

Food businesses engaged in the slaughter of low volumes of poultry

Small meat manufacturing plants (SMMP’s) producing small quantities of fresh meat, minced meat, meat preparations and/or meat products

Cold stores/distribution centres

Meat transport vehicles at, or associated with inspected establishments

Wholesaling butcher shops subject to Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004. During 2014, the local authorities were responsible for carrying out official controls in 487 establishments as follows:

205 Slaughterhouses

197 Small Meat Manufacturing Plant

34 Poultry Plants

24 Cold store (animal origin no exposure)

15 Vehicles Operating without a Base Cat. I (raw and cooked meat product)

5 Cold store (animal origin exposure)

7 Butcher shops (retailers)

By ‘food chain stage’ these establishments equated to:

44 Distributors and transporters

436 Manufacturers and packers

7 Retailers

A total of 105 establishments were rated as ‘high’ risk; 228 as ‘medium’ risk; and, 107 as ‘low’ risk. The remainder were unrated or had yet to be assigned a rating at the end of the year. A total of 4802 inspections were carried out in these establishments over the course of the year. In most cases, the local authority has one County Veterinary Officer (CVO), supported by temporary veterinary inspectors (TVIs) engaged for meat inspections in slaughterhouses. In 2014 LAs committed 63 WTE staff (not including temporary veterinary inspectors engaged in meat inspection) to official controls and food safety activities under their service contracts with the FSAI.

87


Number planned

The local authorities use a standard operating procedure (SOP D25) to determine the required inspection frequency for each establishment based on risk assessment. The following considerations are taken into account in this SOP:

Public health risks

Animal health risks

Animal welfare aspects where applicable

Type of processes carried out in the establishment

Throughput of the establishment

FBO’s past record of compliance with food law and the reliability of the FBO’s own checks.

The type of processes undertaken in an establishment and the nature and intended uses of its products determine to a large extent the risk to public health from consumption of those products. These factors therefore primarily determine the level of risk associated with the establishment. After the initial risk assessment of an establishment a re-assessment is carried out on an annual basis.

It is recommended that inspections of establishments should be carried out within the following range of frequencies, where the frequency is proportionate to the risk categorisation, based on the professional judgement of the CVO:

Low Risk: Between once every three months and once per month

Medium Risk: Between once every two months and twice per month

High Risk: Between once per month and four times per month

Very High Risk: At discretion of the county veterinary officer (CVO).

Completed

In 2014 there were 4802 hygiene inspections carried out by local authority veterinary inspectors. The majority (52%) of inspections were in slaughterhouses, which account for 42% of all establishments under local authority supervision. The number of inspections per type of establishment are as follows:

Slaughterhouses 2508

SMMPs 1989

Poultry Plants 161

Cold store (animal origin no exposure) 80

Butcher Shop 30

Vehicle Operating without a Base Cat. I 33

Cold store (animal origin exposure) 16

Comment

In addition to the above, local authority veterinary inspectors carry out sampling of food and related items as part of official control programmes linked to the production of foods of animal origin. This annual ‘National Sampling Plan’ covers all local authorities, one of which (Cork County Council through its Veterinary Food Safety Laboratory) acts in a co-ordination role.

Local authorities also participate in the national residue monitoring programme organised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

In 2014, a total of 1784 samples were submitte by local authorities to laboratories. The majority were routine samples.

88


Overall compliance

Overall compliance in this sector was generally acceptable

9.2.2.1 & 9.2.2.2


During 2014 LAs took 1602 formal actions as a result of non-compliances detected during inspections.


Non-compliances included:

FBO engaged in activity outside the scope for which establishment had been approved

Deficiencies in structural and hygiene requirements

Non compliances in relation to pest proofing, pest control and cleaning and sanitation of an establishment

Bovine animal slaughtered without veterinary ante mortem inspection


Non-compliances were randomly distributed.


Non compliances found which resulted in enforcements being served were major and moderate, 80% and 20% respectively.

9.2.2.3

What was/were the root cause/s of the non-compliances identified

No data available for this.

9.4.1


Actions taken to deal with non-compliances

LAs took 1602 legal actions against FBOs under their supervision in 2013, including:

Approval number revocation 2

Improvement Notices 4

Compliance Notices 17

9.4.2

Actions to ensure effectiveness of Official Controls (by the CA)

In order to comply with Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 all official controls must be carried out in accordance with documented procedures. The local authority veterinary inspectorate has an established standardisation working group which has developed a number of operating procedures which inspectors use while carrying out official controls. The working group meets on a regular basis to update/amend/develop operating procedures as required. Local authorities implemented an internal audit programme relating to official controls whereby one local authority is audited by another local authority (cross-county auditing).

9.5


Overall compliance within the sector is good.


Did the programme of OC’s identify any necessary amendment to MANCP

No

89

ANNEX: LAVS1

90

2011 2012 2013 2014

Slaughterhouses 217 211 209 205

Small Meat Manufacturing Plant 188 200 205 197

Poultry Plants 32 30 32 34

Cold store (animal origin no exposure)

10 10 16 24

Vehicle Operating without a Base Cat. I (raw and cooked meat product)

7 5 12 15

Cold store (animal origin exposure)

5 5 5 5

Butcher Shop 3 5 7

Total 459 464 484 487

Table LAVS1: No. of establishments (by food chain stage)

Risk

Category 2011 2012 2013 2014

Slaughterhouses

High 20 20 20 21

Medium 133 133 135 135

Low 31 32 33 33

Small Meat Manufacturing Plant

High 59 69 73 77

Medium 60 67 71 74

Low 36 39 40 34

Poultry Plants

High 3 3 4 4

Medium 11 11 11 12

Low 4 5 5 5


High 0 0 0

Medium 0 1 2 2

Low 8 9 14 20


High 0 0 0

Medium 1 0 1 1

Low 4 4 8 12


High 1 1 1 1

Medium 0 1 1 1

Low 2 2 2 2

Butcher Shop

High 0 0 1 2

Medium 0 2 2 3

Low 0 0 1

Not Stated 86 65 54 37

Total 373 399 430 487

Table LAVS2: No. of establishments (by risk category)

91

2011 2012 2013 2014

Slaughterhouse 2899 2593 2665 2508

Small Meat Manufacturing Plant 2028 1908 2076 1989

Poultry Plant 154 110 161 146


28 37 51 80

Butcher Shop 3 22 30


16 13 30 33


29 25 16 16

Total 5154 4689 5021 4802

Table LAVS3: No. of inspections (by establishment type)

2011 2012 2013 2014

High 1271 1258 1497 1470

Medium 2718 2377 2538 2467

Low 562 483 523 501

Not Stated 603 571 462 334

Total 5154 4689 5021 4802

Table LAVS3: No. of inspections (by risk category)

92

The Marine Institute (MI) The Marine Institute (MI) (www.marine.ie) is Ireland’s national agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation. Its role is “to undertake, to co-ordinate, to promote and to assist in marine research and development and to provide such services related to research and development that, in the opinion of the Institute, will promote economic development and create employment and protect the marine environment.” Under its service contract with the FSAI, the MI is responsible for a limited range of official controls relating primarily to the sampling and analysis of shellfish and finfish. It is the Official Agency charged with providing scientific advice to the Authority and its official agencies on marine biotoxins and related issues, and in relation to the microbiological and virological safety and quality of shellfish and shellfish growing waters, and on related matters.

In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004, the MI is Ireland’s National Reference Laboratory for:

monitoring for Marine Biotoxins in Live Bivalve Molluscs

monitoring for Bacteriological and Viral Contamination in Live Bivalve Molluscs

monitoring of Certain Substances and Residues thereof insofar as they apply to finfish aquaculture

The MI participated in relevant CRL organised inter-comparisons, as required.

The MI has also been designated as the competent authority and NRL “for the purposes of EU Directive 2006/88/EC in addition to conducting fish health and marine environment monitoring. These activities do not come under the scope of the Service Contract with the FSAI.

The MI is accredited to standard ISO17025. The Schedule of Accreditation applicable to the MI can be found at http://www.inab.ie/Directory-of-Accredited-Bodies/Laboratory-Accreditation/Testing/The-Marine-Institute.html.

In 2014, the MI had 29.2 WTE staff allocated to delivering official controls under the Service Contract.

http://www.inab.ie/Directory-of-Accredited-Bodies/Laboratory-Accreditation/Testing/The-Marine-Institute.html

http://www.inab.ie/Directory-of-Accredited-Bodies/Laboratory-Accreditation/Testing/The-Marine-Institute.html

93

MANCP Section

Title Information


Shellfish sampling

o Shellfish Chemistry

o Shellfish Residues (BIPs)

o Biotoxin Chemistry

o Microbiology of Shellfish (E. coli analysis)

Finfish

o Residues

o Chemistry: Port

Phytoplankton Sampling

Completed

A detailed breakdown of the sampling completed by the MI is included in Annex MI1

Comment

The MI also tests shellfish for the presence of Norovirus.


Overall compliance

The Marine Institute carries out official control activity in a limited number of food business operators. The results of this activity are reported to other competent authorities, such as the SFPA, who may use it to assess compliance in the aforementioned food businesses.

9.2.2.1 & 9.2.2.2










Actions taken to ensure improved compliance by Food Business Operators (FBOs) during 2011

The Marine Institute is not involved in assessing compliance among FBOs

94

9.4.1


Describe, giving the number of the various types of enforcement action deployed such as verbal warning, written notice, fixed penalty notice, restriction, premises closure, seizure/detention of animals or product, prosecution Actions taken to deal with non-compliances



The MI completed 87.5 staff days of training under the Service Contract. This was spread between 20 different events of varying duration. A further 170 staff days were committed to prepare, participate and follow-up on audits. The MI staff participated in 37 internal audits, 2 FVO audit, and 1 Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) audit.

9.5




Did the programme of OC’s identify any necessary amendment to MANCP

No

95

ANNEX: MI1 - Sampling & Analysis

96

Sampling & Analysis activity - Shellfish

Analysis Type No. of Samples

Taken No. of Samples

Analysed No Of Results

No. of Compliant Samples

No. of Non-compliant Samples

Routine

Shellfish Chemistry

80 80 1623 80 0

Biotoxin Chemistry

Lipophilic Toxins

2760 2760 11262 2320 440

Microbiology Shellfish

Microbiology Shellfish (E. coli analysis including sub

contract testing)

1596 (E.coli testing including

subcontact testing)

1596 1596 Classification controls based on

E.coli levels

Non Routine

Shellfish Chemistry

0 0 0 0 0

Biotoxin Chemistry

Lipophilic Toxins

379 379 1726 301 78

Virology Shellfish

Norovirus 169 169 169

Sampling & Analysis - Finfish

Analysis Type

No. of Samples Taken

No. of Samples Analysed

No. of Tests No. of

Compliant Samples


Routine

Residues 136 136 16 tests 136 0

Chemistry: Port

44 44 12 tests 44 0

Non Routine

Residues 21 21 6 tests 21 0

Chemistry: Port

24 24 7 tests 24 0

Sampling & Analysis - Water

Analysis Type No. of

Samples Taken

No. of Tests No. of

Compliant Samples


Phytoplankton Routine 3176 2971 2909 62

Non Routine 215 215 215 0

97

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is Ireland’s official standards body. It operates under the National Standards Authority of Ireland Act 1996 and provides a certification service to enable businesses to demonstrate that Irish goods and services conform to applicable standards. NSAI is also an official agency of the FSAI. The NSAI has a focused role in official controls of food, reporting the use of just 1 whole-time equivalent of inspector resource devoted to the service contract activities in 2014. NSAI inspects and certifies suppliers of natural mineral water (NMW), of which there were four in Ireland operating five boreholes. The NSAI operates a quality management system certified to ISO 17021. Each supplier is inspected as part of this programme, with 12, 11, 9, 11 and 10 inspections in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014respectively. In 2014, the NSAI recorded 10 infringements against the requirements of 2009/54/EC, 2003/40/EC and NSAI issued Conditions for Exploitation against the requirements of S.I. 225 of 2007. Ten samples were taken for microbiological analysis, with no infringement detected. Ten samples were also taken for chemical analysis, with no infringements detected. No complaints were received. The NSAI also carried out 67 Food Contact Material (FCM) Inspections in 2014, and took 18 FCM samples (ceramics) under its service contract with the FSAI.

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