The strategic objectives of the National Control Plan for Ireland are in line with those established in Regulation (EU) No 2017/625. The primary objectives are to prevent, eliminate or reduce risk to humans, animals and plants along the entire agri-food chain through harmonised EU rules and risk-based controls, in line with Articles 9(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
Article 110 (2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, states that the MANCP shall contain information on the strategic objectives of the MANCP and how the prioritisation of official controls and allocation of resources reflect these objectives.
For Ireland's MANCP, these objectives are:
- Consistent enforcement of food and feed law; verification of compliance by operators; and verification that animals or goods meet the requirements of rules referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 across the entire agri-food chain, through comprehensive, risk-based official controls.
- Effective communication, collaboration and coordination between regulatory bodies & competent authorities to establish a harmonised, world-class food control system.
- Conducting scientific research and analysis to advance food safety knowledge and inform decision making.
- Providing stakeholders with clear, concise and transparent information regarding food safety, authenticity and public health.
These national objectives allow for the coordination and consistency of official controls between competent authorities, as per Article 109(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
Competent authorities in Ireland carry out the prioritisation of official controls and allocation of resources to reflect these, and other, objectives through their annual business, service or operational planning processes. Prioritisation and allocation of resources are also addressed through competent authorities’ multi-year strategic planning business processes.
The preparation of, and reporting on, such plans is covered by the “Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.”
Generally, as part of their strategic planning activities, competent authorities will invite other stakeholders to comment on or otherwise provide input into the development of their multi-year strategies.
For more information on how individual competent authorities carry out their annual and multi-annual business planning, please refer to the relevant section of this MANCP.
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