UK food regulator to take over responsiblity for wine sector
transfer regulatory authority over the UK's wine industry to the
Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The change, originally announced by the UK government in its 2005 budget, is part of a move to consolidate regulatory powers throughout the UK so as to cut down on the complexity of the regulatory process.
For example, several agencies in the UK's regulatory system are responsible for food standards and safety, including the FSA, the Wine Standards Board, the Egg Marketing Inspectorate, the Horticulture Marketing Inspectorate, the Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate, the Fish Health Inspectorate and the Sea Fish Industry Authority.
The Hampton report into the UK's regulatory process said the different functions was costly and inefficient. As part of a wide series of regulatory consolidation in other sector, the report recommended that FSA take over responsibility for the wine sector from the Wine Standards Board.
The board falls under the authority of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which is also responsible for promoting UK wine.
FSA will take over powers relating to the quality, labelling and standards of wine sold in the UK. Defra will retain its promotion and policy functions for the wine sector. There are about 12 staff working for the Wine Standards Board.
"A highly fragmented system means that business is more likely to be on the receiving end of conflicting advice," the Hampton report noted. "For government, it means duplication of effort and cost. Regulated businesses are subject to overlapping inspections from different bodies, and asked to provide similar information to different government agencies, none of which has an overview of the effects of regulation on that business."
Confusion in the system makes it more difficult for businesses to comply with regulation, and more difficult for regulators to carry out proper risk assessment, the report stated.
The report recommended the use of risk-based inspections and reducing 31 small regulators with oversight over various industries to seven larger bodies.
The consultation launched by Defra will result in amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy (Wine) (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001.
The Wine Standards Board enforces EU wine regulations in the UK and manages the vineyard register. It's enforcement responsibilities apply to all premises and traders within the production and marketing chain, including wholesalers, warehouses and vineyards.
The consultation ends 10 March 2006.
