The upcoming advisory meeting at Southgate House in Cardiff, Wales, will explore the impact of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) on Welsh trade. According to an FSA spokesperson, the Welsh Food Advisory Committee (WFAC) aims to provide advice or information to the agency on matters connected with its functions, especially those related to Wales. Being an advisory body, the committee convenes in four public meetings a year to address specific themes and raise relevant questions. The FSA officials will consider observations made during such meetings to inform future discussions on specific matters such as the BTOM.
Besides exploring the BTOM theme from a Welsh perspective, the WFAC will also discuss the FSA’s development towards the creation of the BTOM. One of the highlights of the meeting will be the presence of Welsh Government colleagues leading the BTOM policy and implementation for Wales. They will answer questions, provide an overview, and guide the discussion as necessary.
The BTOM document outlines the risk levels of food products during border checks between the UK and the rest of the world. The decision on the level of risk posed by food products will be based on both the type of product and the location of origin. Since the UK left the European Union (EU), much of the responsibility for food standards previously under the EU has shifted to the UK.
The FSA’s 2020 annual report on food standards emphasized the importance of establishing full UK import controls for high-risk food and feed from the EU by the end of 2023. FSA chair Susan Jebb expressed her concern that the longer the UK operates without assurances on meeting high safety standards, the less effective it is at identifying potential safety incidents. Therefore, the FSA strongly supports the introduction of risk-based controls on food and feed imports from the EU and the rest of the world. This move will ensure consistent imports regimes for food and feed from all locations.
In conclusion, the upcoming advisory meeting in Wales promises to be a platform for exploring how the BTOM will impact Welsh trade. The FSA officials will consider the observations and insights raised in the meeting to inform future discussions on the matter. The BTOM seeks to address the risk levels of food products during border checks, and there is a need to establish full import controls for high-risk food and feed from the EU by 2023.
