A strategic alliance has been formed between Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to develop the highest standards for food safety and hygiene at all stages of the food chain.
The pact, which formalises the close links which already exist between the two State agencies, will ensure maximum collaboration between the two organisations.
A central feature of the agreement is the recognition that farmers are as much in the food business as any other stakeholder and that Teagasc, as the body providing research advisory and training services for farmers, is committed to keeping food safety at farm level at the top of its agenda.
The agreement will also see the food safety authority working with Teagasc in focusing its research on the critical safety issues. Both organisations will work together in ensuring that the results of this research are communicated to all areas of the food chain.
According to a statement issued by Teagasc, the aim is to give consumers confidence that expenditure on food safety is giving value.
It said both organisations were also working on the development of a nationally accredited food safety training programme for large and small food companies with the objective of developing a food safety culture in food-processing and marketing.
A number of priority joint Teagasc/FSAI initiatives are already well advanced. These include the implementation of blueprints developed by scientists at the Teagasc National Food Centre on best safety practices in abattoirs.
A similar project is under way on the development of best safety practices for the catering sector.