Better training for safer food: 2008 programme

Wednesday 28 February 2007

The Food Standards Agency, Defra and the devolved Agriculture/Rural Affairs Departments are seeking views on the proposed training programme for 2008 under the European Commission's 'Better training for safer food' strategy.

This strategy was established following the adoption in April 2004 of Regulation (EC) 882/2004 on official controls. Around 1,500 officials from control authorities and services across Europe Union (EU) countries and non-EU countries have already participated in courses provided under the 2006 training programme. These courses covered a range of issues such as import controls at Border Inspection Posts and the implementation and auditing of food safety management systems. A similar programme of courses for 2007, offering training for around 2,900 officials, is due to start shortly.

The Commission has recently published details of its proposed training programme for 2008 and invited Member States to comment on this by 15 March 2007. In view of this responses are requested by 9 March 2007 at the latest.