Future arrangements to secure food standards and safety in Scotland

50. Annex B - Terms of Reference

Feasibility Study: Food Standards Agency - Review of Functions in Scotland

Feasibility study to assess the benefits and cost implications of establishing an independent Food Standards Agency for Scotland including a Scottish meat inspection delivery body, maintaining the statutory objective of the Food Standards Agency to "protect public health from risk which may arise in connection with the consumption of food, and otherwise to protect the interests of consumers in relation to food".

Terms of reference

To report on the merits of creating a discrete body in Scotland to perform the functions carried out at present by the Food Standards Agency in Scotland, including Meat Inspection functions.

A report of the study's conclusions and recommendations should be made available to Scottish Ministers by February 2012.

Specifically, the report should:

• Describe the relevance and implications on Scotland of the recent changes to the UK-wide FSA;
• Consider the implications of establishing a new public body and the nature of that body, having regard to the Government's continuing commitment to streamline the public bodies landscape in Scotland;
• Include a financial appraisal of options; and
• Make a recommendation on the best outcome for Scotland's long-term interests, taking into account the main statutory objective to "protect public health from risk which may arise in connection with the consumption of food, and otherwise to protect the interests of consumers in relation to food" also taking into account the Government's purpose of sustainable economic growth.

Specifically on explorations of Meat Inspection Services:

• The report should identify and evaluate alternative delivery options which would allow the meat inspection function to be undertaken in Scottish meat plants in a more efficient and cost effective manner than the current GB wide model, and maintains the current levels of compliance with public and animal health statutory controls, whilst being risk based and proportionate.
• The study should also consider the case for merging meat inspection delivery in Scotland with other food inspection services (e.g. egg production/processing and hygiene controls in retail premises).
• The report should also determine whether there are any legal, practical or contractual issues that have to be considered, should Scottish Ministers decide to introduce an alternative delivery system within Scotland, and make recommendations on how such issues could be successfully managed.