Collectively these actions imply an increase in the resources that FSS dedicates to tackling food fraud. For some components, the scale of the investment required is linked in part to the future level of integration of different components of the surveillance system in Scotland with that of the wider UK. Summary of the research findings Strengths of the to consider for International exemplars current further improvement arrangements in Scotland Strategic Sampling Horizon scanning The countries that have prioritised food planning programmes are strategy for food fraud, such as the Netherlands and defined. Denmark, have made commensurate A more systematic investments in staff, training and systems. Scotland has been approach to building integrated into skills and capability for The Food Crime Unit has an annual wide strategic food fraud business plan to guide surveillance and planning processes. surveillance and investigative priorities. investigation. Capability to tackle food crime has been Evaluate and strengthened elsewhere in the UK. The FSA potential is developing a more strategic approach to and the role medium and long-term risk planning, such as of government in through the Emerging Risks Programme. tackling fraud The Netherlands and Germany are perpetrated against developing more systematic approaches to Scottish products in horizon scanning to better identify and export markets. incorporate long-term fraud risks into their Evaluate the strategic planning process. resources devoted to The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) food fraud. has invested in developing additional in capabilities to support food fraud surveillance such as GPS tracking of suspect food distribution vehicles involved in fraud. Information Data are collected Make greater use of In the Netherlands, the competent authority gathering from many sources. data from the supply proactively uses information such as These sources chain and other company accounts to identify businesses include local sources. which may be more likely to commit fraud authority routine due to their weak financial positions. Targeted product inspections and Academic research on indicators of potential sampling based on surveys, other food fraud informs surveillance activities. appraisal of risk and official data, value. Germany has developed an online platform stakeholder through consumers can notify the engagement, Extending authorities of suspected food fraud. research conducted surveillance effort to Notifications are examined by specialist by third parties and selected export investigators. advisory groups, markets. trade data, media In Ireland, the FSAI is gathering information information, and from social media, focusing on public consumers. complaints and content generated by suspects. Legal protection afforded to New Zealand has authenticity sampling whistleblowers. programmes for products judged to be at risk of adulteration and of high economic value (e.g. honey).
Collectively these actions imply an increase in the resources that FSS dedicates to tackling food fraud. For some components, the scale of the investment required is linked in part to the future level of integration of different components of the surveillance system in Scotland with that of the wider UK. Summary of the research findings Strengths of the current arrangements in Scotland to consider for further improvement International exemplars Strategic planning Sampling programmes are defined. Scotland has been integrated into strategic planning processes. Horizon scanning strategy for food A more systematic approach to building skills and capability for food fraud surveillance and investigation. Evaluate and potential and the role of government in tackling fraud perpetrated against Scottish products in export markets. Evaluate the resources devoted to food fraud. The countries that have prioritised food fraud, such as the Netherlands and Denmark, have made commensurate investments in staff, training and systems. The Food Crime Unit has an annual business plan to guide surveillance and investigative priorities. Capability to tackle food crime has been strengthened elsewhere in the UK. The FSA is developing a more strategic approach to medium and long-term risk planning, such as through the Emerging Risks Programme. The Netherlands and Germany are developing more systematic approaches to horizon scanning to better identify and incorporate long-term fraud risks into their strategic planning process. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has invested in developing additional in capabilities to support food fraud surveillance such as GPS tracking of suspect food distribution vehicles involved in fraud. Information gathering Data are collected from many sources. These sources include local authority routine inspections and surveys, other official data, stakeholder engagement, research conducted by third parties and advisory groups, trade data, media information, and consumers. Legal protection afforded to whistleblowers. Make greater use of data from the supply chain and other sources. Targeted product sampling based on appraisal of risk and value. Extending surveillance effort to selected export markets. In the Netherlands, the competent authority proactively uses information such as company accounts to identify businesses which may be more likely to commit fraud due to their weak financial positions. Academic research on indicators of potential food fraud informs surveillance activities. Germany has developed an online platform through consumers can notify the authorities of suspected food fraud. Notifications are examined by specialist investigators. In Ireland, the FSAI is gathering information from social media, focusing on public complaints and content generated by suspects. New Zealand has authenticity sampling programmes for products judged to be at risk of adulteration and of high economic value (e.g. honey). wide
Scudamore_-_Benchmarking_Food_Surveillance_Systems_-_final_report_-_4_November_2015.docx