CYPRUS wants to create an Independent Food Service Authority and has called in Irish experts to provide advice on the best way forward.
Two specialists from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) were brought in to attend a seminar arranged yesterday by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE).
KEVE’s Department of Industry Director, Marios Tsiakkis, said that the talk was addressed mainly to local representatives of the food industry.
“Food safety is very important to us and we have covered all expenses for this seminar because we want people to be properly informed and we want to show that we are not avoiding this issue,” he said.
Tsiakkis said that about 70 businessmen from both the production and importing industries of food and drinks were invited to the seminar.
“Food safety constitutes the ‘bread and butter’ of the industry,” he added.
The speakers were called in to provide advice on the operations of a Food Safety Authority, supporting the Cypriot attempt to imitate the Irish model. Tsiakkis said that the FSAI seemed an ideal example of how such an authority should operate.
“The Irish have advanced and excelled in this field,” he said. In addition he said that the size of Ireland and its food produce is very close to that of Cyprus, thus making it a valuable paradigm.
One of the speakers was Raymond Ellard, the Acting Director of FSAI and responsible for the issuing of service contracts. “He aimed to explain how the FSAI is structured and how it operates, including its duties and its role in the Irish industry,” said Tsiakkis. The other spokesperson was a businessman from the private food sector in Ireland, in order to demonstrate how business cooperates with the FSAI, whether any problems arise and how these are solved.
The seminar’s main objective was to offer guidance and appropriate information regarding food safety. Tsiakkis also said that “this seminar would enable us to draw up proposals to present to the government for the creation of our own Food Safety Industry, an issue which we consider to be extremely important”.
The FSAI is responsible for monitoring and ensuring food complies with legal requirements while also providing advice to Ministers, consumers and the food industry in general. FSAI states its mission is “to protect consumers’ health and consumers’ interests by ensuring that food consumed, distributed, marketed or produced in the state meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene”.
In a speech yesterday Health Minister, Christos Patsalides, said that the government has an important role in ensuring the acquisition of safe and healthy food and consequently the implementation of an efficient control system.
He emphasised the need for the consumer to be appropriately informed regarding food safety issues. He also said that the Ministry was supporting Medical and Public Health Services, as well as the State Chemical Lab which is attempting to reform and extend its role as Centre of Excellence for issues of food safety, environment and health in the East Mediterranean.
