From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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Following ongoing discussions between the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, an Agreement in Principle was reached on the future of the food safety controls currently carried out by the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS).
A Joint Memo for Government on behalf of both the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, was brought to Government today.
At the cabinet meeting, Government agreed:
1. to a phased transfer of official food controls currently undertaken by Local Authority Veterinary Services to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine;
2. to the permanent transfer of funding from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and
3. to the transfer of relevant staff resources from Local Authorities to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Reflecting the key role undertaken by Local Authority Veterinary Services in the current delivery of these services as this function transfers, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Health, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the County and City Management Association, and the Local Government Management Agency are committed to ensuring a seamless transfer process and maintaining continuity in the provision of essential services. This will include engagement with those currently providing the service and the Forsa trade union who represent them.
An implementation team is being established to collaborate with all stakeholders involved to guarantee its smooth transition and uphold a continuation of the high standards of excellence that the public expect.
Speaking of the decision at cabinet, Minister McConalogue said:
“I would like to thank the Departments, Local Authorities and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland for their work in getting to this point. Additionally, I would specifically like to commend the work of all those professionals who work within the Local Authority Veterinary Services. Food safety controls are a key element in ensuring safety and quality in our food chain. Moving to a single food safety veterinary control system for food inspections in Ireland will bring synergies, and help optimise how we utilise our resources in this area.”
Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health said:
“The Local Authority Veterinary Service has contributed to the protection of public health through the operation of food safety controls. I would like to join with my colleague, Minister McConalogue, in acknowledging the contribution made by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and by Local Authority veterinary food inspectors. I very much welcome the cross-Government approach in progressing the transfer of these functions, which will deliver efficiencies and will ensure that public health remains at the forefront of this service.”
A Steering Group and a Working Group comprising representation from the above Departments and Agencies, are developing an agreed work programme on the phased transfer of the LAVS to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with the aim of having the transfer completed in quarter four, 2024.
In parallel, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the County and City Management Association, and the Local Government Management Agency have agreed a service contract arrangement under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998 with Local Authorities, to continue until quarter four, 2024.
It is the intention of all parties that the official controls on food safety in small meat businesses which are currently undertaken by the Local Authority Veterinary Service will continue without disruption to the businesses and without any reduction in consumer protection. Further information will be provided when it is available.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine looks forward to the opportunities that this transfer will bring and the positive impact it will have on the Department’s ability to better serve the Agrifood sector, consumers, and broader interests across Ireland. Moving to a single food safety veterinary control system for food inspections in Ireland will bring synergies, and optimize resource utilization.
ENDS