DEFRA has launched a consultation on address requirements in food labelling in the event of a no deal Brexit.
In particular, the consultation asks how long the period of adjustment should be before all food marketed in the UK must have a UK name and address on the label.
Currently a name and address for the producer within the EU or for first importer into the EU is required, this would change after a no-deal Brexit in that an EU address alone would no longer be valid for the UK market. (Similarly, a UK address alone would no longer be valid for the EU market and an address within the remaining EU member states will be required following EU exit.) This consultation is therefore designed to consider the timeframe for any such change.
The consultation is only concerned with the possibility of a no deal scenario and thus does not propose any new policies surrounding food labelling. For further information on food labelling in the event of a no deal Brexit please see our previous update.
The consultation closes 4 December
Enforcement & Food Risk Management Functions Post-Brexit
The government has responded to questions on what resources are available to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in light of additional responsibilities it may assume post-Brexit.
It is stated that the Government has provided £14 million of funding in 2018/19 to support the Food Standards Agency’s work streams relating to the consequences of leaving the European Union, to help the FSA ensure there is a robust regulatory system in place to guarantee food safety, expand the National Food Crime Unit, and deliver replacements for EU programmes which carry out food safety risk management functions.
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