header parallax image
Mairead McGuinness MEP
  • HOME
  • About Mairead
    • About Mairead
    • PICTURES
    • TRANSPARENCY
  • NEWS
    • AGRICULTURE
    • BREXIT
    • CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
    • ENVIRONMENT
    • EVENTS
    • FOOD SAFETY
    • FUTURE OF EUROPE
    • HEALTH
    • INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
    • LATEST NEWS
    • TRADE
  • GALLERY
    • GALLERY
    • VIDEOS
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • About Mairead
    • About Mairead
    • PICTURES
    • TRANSPARENCY
  • NEWS
    • AGRICULTURE
    • BREXIT
    • CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
    • ENVIRONMENT
    • EVENTS
    • FOOD SAFETY
    • FUTURE OF EUROPE
    • HEALTH
    • INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
    • LATEST NEWS
    • TRADE
  • GALLERY
    • GALLERY
    • VIDEOS
  • CONTACT
FOOD SAFETY

Veterinary Officers – The Guardians Of The Integrity And Safety Of Food Supply Chain

April 16, 2019 July 24, 2019 Mairead McGuinness398 views

The work of Veterinary Officers who monitor and control our food supply chain and ensure the food we eat is safe and that animal welfare standards are fully complied with has been commended by Mairead McGuinness MEP and first Vice-President of the European Parliament.

Speaking at the annual dinner of the Veterinary Officers Association conference in Athlone, she said: “Members of the VOA are the guardians of the integrity and safety of the food supply chain.”

“Their work, which is largely invisible to the wider public, is absolutely vital for us as consumers and for ensuring that the food products we export meet the highest possible standards.

“Like so many sectors, the work and role of VOA members will be impacted by Brexit.

“The uncertainty over Brexit, about when the UK will leave the EU and under what conditions is making it difficult to plan for all eventualities.”

However, the MEP said it is important that as a country we plan carefully for every possible outcome.

Members raised concerns about the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s (DAFM’s) recruitment plans to employ veterinarians ahead of Brexit.

Last year the Government announced plans to hire extra customs and veterinary inspectors to meet the new demands that will arise following the UK’s departure from the EU.

There is growing uncertainty about the actual date of Brexit and a number of inspector positions have still to be filled.

“The VOA is concerned about timing and if new staff members will receive adequate training for the task in hand.

“It’s an issue I will be raising with the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed,” she told them.

The work of the VOA members will be ever more important to provide assurances for the quality and safety of food for consumers and trading partners.

 

About the VOA

The VOA represents veterinary practitioners registered with the Veterinary Council of Ireland who are employees of a Department of State, including those on approved career breaks or on secondment

There are currently approximately 255 members of the VOA.

Mairead McGuinnessApril 16, 2019

Categories

  • AGRICULTURE
  • BREXIT
  • CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • EVENTS
  • FOOD SAFETY
  • FUTURE OF EUROPE
  • HEALTH
  • INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
  • LATEST NEWS
  • MAIREAD
  • TIMELINE
  • TRADE
  • TRANSPARENCY
  • VIDEOS

Twitter

Tweets by MaireadMcGMEP

Facebook

Mairead McGuinness MEP

INSTAGRAM

mcguinnesseu

Vice-President of the European Parliament and MEP for the Midlands-North-West region of Ireland. Member of the EPP Group.

Press conference on the Commission's vision for fo Press conference on the Commission's vision for fostering openness, strength & resilience in Europe’s economic and financial system 🇪🇺

To strengthen Europe’s economic and financial system in a changing global context, we want:
🔵 a stronger international role of the euro
🔵 more resilient financial market infrastructures
🔵 effective implementation of EU sanctions.
College of Commissioners on Christmas Eve debriefi College of Commissioners on Christmas Eve debriefing about 🇪🇺🇬🇧 deal. 

Congratulations and thank you to @ursulavonderleyen, Michel Barnier and team.
First press conference as Commissioner this week t First press conference as Commissioner this week to launch @europeancommission strategy on non-performing loans
Many people have asked me about the impact of COVI Many people have asked me about the impact of COVID on my new role.
Congratulations President-elect @JoeBiden it was a Congratulations President-elect @JoeBiden it was a pleasure to welcome you to Co Louth 🇮🇪 in 2016, along with members of your family. I look forward to a strong EU 🇪🇺 🇺🇸 US relationship under your presidency. Congratulations @KamalaHarris 👏
.... a perch for the birds in the garden.... .... a perch for the birds in the garden....
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Copyright © 2016 Mairead McGuinness - Designed and Managed by exSite