Imports - OVS Note 08/05
Changes to Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)
This letter is addressed to Chief Port Health Officers, Nominated Officers for Imported Food and Border Inspection Posts in England only.
Following discussion at an EU Working Group in December 2007, the Commission has advised that the following changes have been made to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). From 2008 border rejections will be handled separately from other RASFF notifications and have a different referencing system.
The referencing system used for notifications has been changed as follows:
-
Numeric codes will be used for both alert and information notifications using the format [year].0000 (e.g. 2008.0001). Where a product has been released from the control of the Port Health Authority or BIP then this system will be used;
-
Alphanumeric codes will be used for border rejections using the format [year].AAA (e.g. 2008.ABC). This system will be used where the product remains within the Port Health Authority’s or BIP’s control (re-export/destruction etc).
Ports are requested to use the current templates when sending notifications as the new templates will not be available until March/April 2008. Notifications should be sent to the normal contacts in the Agency’s Incident Branch.
If you have any queries regarding the completion or sending of border rejection notifications, please contact the Incidents Branch on 0207 276 8448.
The advice contained in this letter should not be taken as an authoritative statement of the law or its interpretation. Only the courts can decide whether in particular circumstances an offence has been committed.
You may also be aware that the Agency has an imports section on its website:
http://www.food.gov.uk/imports
Yours sincerely
Ian Grist
Imported Food Division
Food Standards Agency
Page published:
16 January, 2008