The ‘Focus on Enforcement’ campaign to
get feedback from smaller business as to their experiences of
working with national regulators and local authorities will be
looking at those connected with food manufacturing over the next 5
weeks.
It is stated that this is an opportunity for business to provide
feedback to government on suggestions for a better enforcement and
inspection regime. The best suggestions for other areas needing
examination will guide Ministers in prioritising a series of
reviews to identify the source of the problem and propose
action.
However, the scope of the review is limited.
- The review is only open to small businesses i.e. those
employing less than 50 employees, and only applies to manufacturers
of food and drink for supply to the public through retail
outlets. The scope excludes primary production, catering /
food preparation (such as restaurants or take-away outlets) and
meat processing where the product is not for immediate sale to the
public.
- The focus of these reviews is on the way regulation is
delivered – whether through inspections, advice, enforcement
– not about the regulations themselves. Also, comments can
only be considered on specific cases when all proceedings have
finished. (A separate initiative, Red Tape Challenge, allows
broader commentary on regulations from all affected parties,)
How these restrictions in the scope of the review may themselves be
enforced, whether or not the views of business may be distilled
from this mass approach and an effective response provided, remains
to be seen. However, of particular interest to all business
is that the website, for the first time, provides details on
national regulators, their remits and regulatory budgets and staff
resource in one place and information is also provided on
regulatory functions undertaken by local authorities. This may in
itself provide a valuable insight into different enforcement styles
in different areas.
The Small Business in Food Manufacturing theme is now live on the
Focus on Enforcement website and can be found at: http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/focusonenforcement