MEMBERS ADVICE


introduction of Primary Authority (PA). We explained last month how the scheme is going from strength to strength and is also in line with the big changes in regulatory enforcement coming soon. UK law now states that all


enforcement officers MUST consider if a business they are dealing with is in a Primary Authority. Where a Primary Authority


relationship exists then an EHO should attempt to resolve any non-compliances by first liaising with the Primary Authority eg. Horsham District Council. In many cases the Primary Authority has the power to block action by other local authorities. Te only proviso is that businesses must be following the assured Premier Advice. Te most frustrating thing


I come across is a lack of consistency from one local authority to another or even from one officer to another in the same local authority. Tis is not entirely the fault of EHOs. Tere are many “grey areas” in legislation and conflicting guidelines that create inconsistent interpretation. Primary Authority is designed to iron out these inconsistencies.


PROSECUTIONS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM. • Te very best way for any butcher to avoid prosecution is to join our Primary Authority scheme and follow Premier Advice.


• Prosecutions are quite rare these days but do still happen and even a good business can get caught out occasionally. Don’t forget that under food safety law it is the legal responsibility of the supplier to sell safe


food. A supplier has the defence of due diligence which requires sound, up-to-date procedures and paperwork. Premier Advice will help with all of that. If you inadvertently supply food that causes harm to someone you can still be liable if you don’t have paperwork that helps to prove that it was someone else’s fault.


• Improvement, and other similar official, notices are not good to receive, and it is vital that you respond to them immediately. You will be given reasonable time to carry out less urgent improvements. Failing to comply with a notice is an automatic offence and there is rarely any defence against it. Tese notices are entered on the public register.


• Make sure you keep all inspection reports, notes, letters and paperwork from your local authority for at least five years.


• Finally, never ever agree to attend a formal interview. Official procedures allow you to elect to answer written questions by mail under caution. You may be tempted to go and have your say and clear your name, but it is never a good idea and can easily backfire on you if you unwittingly provide self-incriminating evidence. It is important to ask the Federation, or your solicitor, for help on how to handle an interview request but I repeat never agree to attend without taking advice first. Provided it is handled properly a refusal to attend will not adversely affect you. n


2017 competitors


ATTENTION ALL BUTCHER APPRENTICES!


BUTCHERY apprentices from across the UK are invited to enter the 2018 Premier Young Butcher Competition being held at Foodex on Monday 16th April next year. Te Federation is looking


for talented 18 to 23-year-old apprentices, to compete for fourteen trophies, who have skills to produce innovative products for the Ready to Eat, Stuffed Roast, Seam Butchery, Barbecue, Kitchen Ready and Display categories that make up the five-hour competition. Derbyshire butcher


and NFMFT National President John Mettrick says “competing in Premier Young Butcher is a terrific opportunity and can be a life changing experience for anyone setting out on a career in butchery”! With past champions and


other competitors like Ryan Healy, Andrew Brassington, Chris Riley, Lucy Crawshaw and Joe Smith going on to compete against elite apprentices from Austria,


France, Germany, Holland and Switzerland in the International Young Butcher Competition. Or like James Gracey and Dylan Gillespie also going on to compete, and Matthew Edwards, Peter Rushforth and James Taylor to win World Skills UK Butchery. Te 2018 Premier Young


Butcher Competition is open to all 18-23-year- old butchery apprentices throughout the UK. And any employer who has an apprentice with good craſt skills, good working practices and a will to WIN should contact roger@ nfmſt.co.uk or go to www. nfmſt.co.uk for more information. Premier Young Butcher


2018 organised by the NFMFT is being hosted at Foodex by William Reed Media and sponsored by Cambrian Training, Dalziel, Institute of Meat, Quality Meat Scotland, RAPS (UK), Weddel Swiſt and the Worshipful Company of Butchers. n


FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FEDERATION'S PRIMARY AUTHORITY SCHEME CHECK OUT THE BRIEFING NOTE ON OUR WEBSITE; WWW.NFMFT.CO.UK


Joining is very straight forward and free to members.


CRAFTBUTCHER l NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 17


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