Service Contract Agencies
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is responsible for the enforcement of all 'food legislation' in Ireland . The Authority carries out this enforcement function through "service contracts" with official agencies. Section 48 of the FSAI Act, 1998 gives the legislative basis for this. These contracts outline an agreed level and standard of food safety activity that the agencies perform as agents of the Authority.
The second set of contracts expired on 31 st December 2005 and consequently new contracts have been agreed and are in place from the start of 2006. The official agencies with whom FSAI have contracts are:
The contracts are for a minimum duration of three years and subject to the request of either the FSAI or the official agency may be reviewed during that time. The contracts must be published within 3 months of the date they are entered into.
There are also Memorandums of Understanding in place between the FSAI and other enforcement agencies:
A Memorandum of Understanding sets out a framework for co-operation in their food safety activities where a service contract is a legal agreeement to enforce food safety legislation.
National Control Plan for Ireland 2007-2011
Ireland developed its first Multi-annual National Control Plan in 2007. The plan was jointly developed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The National Control Plan for Ireland 2007-2011
Last reviewed: 25/8/2010