Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
The regulators are taking steps towards increasing their participation in international fora, as well as...
Recommendation
The regulators are taking steps towards increasing their participation in international fora, as well as developing bilateral agreements and relationships with counterparts.60 CMA signed a mutual assistance and cooperation framework with its counterparts in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and also told us it had agreed a common approach to mergers with its German and Australian counterparts.61 FSA and HSE have focused on developing their participation and influence within international bodies, including at the OECD and the United Nations (UN). HSE told us it is participating in the UN globally harmonised system of chemicals classification and labelling and chairs some of its subgroups. FSA’s former global affairs director is now the chair of Codex, the international food standards-setting body. FSA also told us it is developing its involvement in the International Food Safety Authority Network (INFOSAN) for exchanging information on food safety incidents, although it recognises that there is “still a way to go” to improve its effectiveness. 56 C&AG’s Report, para 2.22, 3.22, 4.21 57 Q65 58 C&AG’s Report, para 19 59 C&AG’s Report, para 2.22 60 Q65; C&AG’s Report, para 19 61 Q65 Regulating after EU Exit 15
Government Response Summary
The FSA will write to the Committee in six months (April 2023) setting out their plans for further international engagement, including objectives and timescales, and will continue to fulfill international trade obligations and engage in international fora like Codex, but will scale back bilateral engagements to map out how to best target international priorities.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6. PAC conclusion: It will be vital for regulators to continue to develop their engagement on the world stage. 6. PAC recommendation: The regulators should write to the Committee in six months setting out their plans for further international engagement including their objectives and timescales for action. FSA Response 6.1 The FSA agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: April 2023 6.2 The FSA will continue to fulfil international obligations in relation to trade such as contributing advice and analysis on Free Trade Agreements to inform Department for International Trade led Section 42 Reports, supporting government objectives through providing technical input on food and feed safety during negotiations, meeting UK commitments at the World Trade Organization and providing input to other international discussions such as on market access requests. 6.3 The FSA will continue to engage in overarching international fora such as Codex where it can influence and support work to shape global food safety systems. As part of internal prioritisation described at paragraph 3.3 above, it is taking stock of its international ambitions and will be scaling back on bilateral engagements. The FSA will use this space to map out how to best target its international priorities once the external pressures are lifted.