In this exclusive video interview, filmed at Food Manufacture’s food safety conference, Davies said Brexit could offer both opportunities and risks for the food industry, and food safety in particular.
“It’s a chance to really rethink what type of food and farming policy we want. We have the Common Agricultural Policy [CAP] at the moment, and we’ve never really had a joined-up food policy,” said Davies.
A lot of challenges facing the food system
“With a lot of the challenges facing the food system, whether that’s food safety or wider issues around sustainability and obesity, we really need to think in a more joined up way. I think it’s important that we take that opportunity.”
However, Davies said it was vital that EU consumer protection legislation was incorporated into the UK post-Brexit. Davies would be “very concerned” if that regulation was dismantled, she said.
The National Food Crime Unit needs to move from its intelligence gathering role to a more investigatory body, Davies went on to say.
The food safety conference was sponsored by Appetite Learning, GTS, Sealed air, Testo and the University of Greenwich.
Meanwhile, watch out for more exclusive interviews from the food safety conference.
Food safety laws after Brexit
- Should move from CAP to a more well-rounded food policy
- Must include consumer protection legislation
- EU General Food law regulation should be incorporated