Annual Report 2005-06 - NSW Food Authority - NSW Government

“The underlying purpose of thisservice group is to maximise theeffectiveness of the Authority’sservices by developing andmaintaining relationships. ”AchievementsMemoranda of Understanding• Established formal MOU with NSW Health and withNSW Department of Primary Industries.• Scheduled high-level meetings with NSW Health andDepartment of Primary Industries to identify key jointpriority work areas, including emergency managementand bioterrorism, foodborne illness, and consumereducation and health promotion.• Commenced meetings of strategic liaison groups forMOU with NSW Health and Department of PrimaryIndustries to oversee joint priority work area initiatives.• Established an interagency working group to develop awhole-of-government approach to managing pesticideresidues in food. Consisting of officers from theAuthority, Department of Primary Industries andDepartment of Environment and Conservation, the groupmapped the current system, identified gaps andinitiatives to achieve the optimal management ofpesticide residues in NSW.During 2005/06, aMemorandum ofUnderstanding between theAuthority and NSW Healthon their respective rolesand responsibilities wassigned. It will guide futureplanning and development,and provide the frameworkfor future cooperation inachieving the Government’sfood regulation objectives.A number of priority workareas were agreed upon.Key personnel from eachorganisation were identifiedto be responsible fordeveloping joint workprograms and for ensuringthe progress of thoseprograms.These work areas are:• evaluation of foodborneillness investigationOperational Agreements• To assist local oyster farmers, a taskforce within theNSW Premier’s Department was set up to coordinate awhole-of-government response to sewagecontamination of shellfish harvest areas that includedthe Authority, Port Stephens Council, the Department ofPrimary Industries and the NSW Department of Lands.• The Authority’s David Miles was seconded to FoodStandards Australia New Zealand for a period of threemonths to develop a National Food Safety IncidentResponse Protocol.• In July 2005, an operational agreement was made withNSW Police for the recall of all Mars and Snickerschocolate bars following an extortion threat. TheAuthority provided assistance and participated in theregular joint meetings. Over 500 premises wereinspected by Authority officers and 176.84 tons ofproduct were destroyed.Case Study: Enhancing communication with NSW Healthactivities against bestpractice;• forums to discuss issueswith NSW Health andother agencies;• consultation on thedevelopment of nationalpolicies and standards;• collaboration on scientificand technical matters,including consultationand advice;• communication onemergency managementin general andbioterrorism in particular;and• collaboration in consumereducation and healthpromotion.A Strategic Liaison Groupwas established and willoversee the joint prioritywork areas and the variousworking groups.NSW Food Authority Annual Report 2005/2006 I Service Group 431