Minister's back Food Crime Unit after horsemeat scandal

The UK is to have a Food Crime Unit to fight fraudulent food trade after the recommendations in the Elliott report, commissioned after the horse meat scandal last year, have been backed by Ministers.

All of the recommendations in the Elliott report on food integrity and assurance of food supply networks have been accepted by the government, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss announced today.

The Elliott Review also acknowledges the damage that the procurement policies of some larger retailers can have on the sustainability of UK farming and the integrity of the food industry. It notes of particular concern is the practice of procuring goods for less than the recognised reasonable price based on market knowledge.

The new Food Crime Unit is one of a number of improvements the government is taking to ensure consumers have absolute confidence in the produce they purchase.

Professor Elliott’s review examines ways to prevent food fraud incidents from happening. It also looked into how to improve the culture of our food supply chain to support industry taking effective responsibility for the traceability of their products, support local authorities target enforcement activity based on risk and ensure consumers have an increased understanding of where their food comes from.

“This report demonstrates the UK Government’s commitment to improving the integrity and assurance of our food supply networks,” said NFU Cymru Deputy President John Davies.

Speaking as the government published its full response to Professor Elliott’s report, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: "We’re taking action to make sure that families can have absolute confidence in the food that they buy. When a shopper picks something up from a supermarket shelf it should be exactly what it says on the label, and we’ll crack down on food fraudsters trying to con British consumers.

"As well as keeping up confidence here, we need to protect the great reputation of our food abroad. We’ve been opening up even more export markets, which will grow our economy, provide jobs, and support the government’s long-term economic plan.

"The action we’re taking gives more power to consumers - meaning they’ve got better labelling on food, better education about where their food comes from, and better, locally-sourced food in schools and hospitals."

The horsemeat fraud incident highlighted the importance of having transparency about the source of food products. Consumers made clear that they wanted assurance that what they are buying is what it says it is. Immediately after the incident consumers increasingly chose British food, with an increase of 10% in British beef on sale in UK retailers.

The government said it was taking action to make sure consumers know where their food is coming from and ensure consumer confidence through:

- improved labelling including new country of origin labelling introduced from April 2015.

- making it easier for food procurers to make decisions about the locality, authenticity and traceability of their food.

- improving public procurement of food and catering services to provide schools and hospitals with high quality British food and boost UK farming.

- improving food education in schools through a new national curriculum to give children a better understanding of where their food comes from and why it is important to know what is in our food.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “Today’s final publication of the Elliott Review demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the integrity and assurance of UK food supply networks.

“Food fraud is an issue that must be taken seriously as it is corrosive to consumer confidence, which has ramifications right the way through the food chain. British farmers are rightly proud to be growing the raw ingredients for the food industry, the largest single manufacturing sector in the UK, and its success is reliant on consumer confidence.

“Committing to British farmers on a financially viable and long term basis will help ensure UK consumers can obtain easily traceable and excellent quality UK products. It is also important that food service companies are not exempt from this process and are encouraged to make strides in shortening their supply chains.

“This report now requires the support of government ministers to turn words into actions to ensure UK consumers are provided with secure, safe and local food for consumers to eat.”

“The promises made by retailers in the wake of the horsemeat scandal need to be remembered, and promises to shorten supply chains and bring food closer to home should be honoured,” added Mr Raymond.

“We are supportive of the idea to create a food crime unit and look forward to finding out more about what this will look like and how it will work in practice. Although it is important that farmers do not bear the brunt of setting it up.

“Ultimately, this report provides a timely reminder to UK consumers to vote with their pockets. By purchasing food with the Red Tractor logo on, consumers can be assured they are purchasing a product that has been produced to excellent standards and supports a short, traceable and local British supply chain, which ultimately contributes to the UK’s wider food security.”

Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK, welcomed the report and said: “Dairy UK welcomes Professor Elliott’s recommendations and strongly supports measures to prevent fraud in the food industry. The dairy industry is committed to maintaining consumer confidence in wholesome and safe dairy products. Thanks to a short supply chain and exemplary traceability, the dairy industry is proud to be among the safest food sectors and strives to guarantee the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.

“Therefore, as a precautionary measure, Dairy UK has been working on a series of measures and schemes that meet and exceed the expectations outlined in Professors Elliott’s recommendations. In addition to a Risk Register of potential contamination and fraud issues in the UK dairy supply chain initiated last year, Dairy UK also leads a Due Diligence Scheme through which stringent tests are conducted on milk and dairy products in accredited laboratories. The dairy industry is also looking at additional opportunities to enhance collaboration with government agencies such as the FSA or the VMD.

“Dairy UK will make every effort to contribute to any other industry surveillance programmes and activities.”

NFU Cymru Deputy President John Davies said: “Food fraud is an issue that must be taken seriously as it is corrosive to consumer confidence, which has ramifications right the way through the food chain. Our farmers are rightly proud to be growing the raw ingredients for the food industry and its success is reliant on consumer confidence.

“Committing to our nations farmers on a financially viable and long term basis will help ensure that consumers can obtain easily traceable and excellent quality home-grown products. It is also important that food service companies are not exempt from this process and are encouraged to make strides in shortening their supply chains.

“We are supportive of the idea to create a food crime unit and look forward to finding out more about what this will look like and how it will work in practice. Although it is important that farmers do not bear the brunt of setting it up.”

The Elliott Review also acknowledges the damage that the procurement policies of some larger retailers can have on the sustainability of farming and the integrity of our food industry. It notes of particular concern is the practice of procuring goods for less than the recognised reasonable price based on market knowledge.

“The promises made by retailers in the wake of the horsemeat scandal need to be remembered, and promises to shorten supply chains and bring food closer to home should be honoured,” added Mr Davies.

Mr Davies ended, “Ultimately, this report provides a timely reminder to the nation’s consumers to vote with their pockets. By purchasing food with either the Red Tractor logo or produce such as PGI Welsh Beef, Lamb, consumers can be assured they are purchasing a product that has been produced to excellent standards and supports a short, traceable and local supply chain, which ultimately contributes to the nation’s wider food security.”