In the final stretch is the bill that provides for the establishment of the Cyprus Food Safety Authority, which will control everything that goes on our plate before it even reaches the supermarket shelves. It will be able to supervise those carrying out the controls and its recommendations will be binding on all official bodies.

The new Authority, as follows from the bill that is expected to be promoted soon for the necessary approvals by the Minister of Health, will be responsible for ensuring the quality of food, feed, animal health and welfare, plant health and the safety of plant protection products.

At the same time, and as provided for in the bill, the Authority will also be responsible for secondary inspections in competent bodies and laboratories with the aim of ensuring the quality of all products that reach the consumer. The Authority will, in fact, have the ability to annul decisions of bodies when it deems them illegal or inadequate, while it will have the possibility to require additional controls and impose fines in cases of violations or obstruction of controls.

However, its responsibilities are not limited to control. It will be responsible for the development of the national policy and strategy for the safety of the food chain, collect and analyse scientific data for risk assessment, provide advice and opinions and represent the Republic of Cyprus in European and international bodies, in cooperation with the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority. At the same time, it will act as a point of contact with other countries and international organizations to address existing and new risks in the food chain.

At the level of day-to-day operation, the Authority will select primary audits on a sample basis, examine methods, procedures and training of auditors and monitor on-site procedures.

Simply put, the Cyprus Food Safety Authority will take on the role of "guardian" of the food chain and it is particularly important that, in addition to these, the Authority will also have the responsibility to protect consumers from possible food adulteration or from misleading labels, claims and messages.

The bill also emphasizes the information/service platform, where the Authority will determine equipment specifications, train staff of institutions/laboratories, and manage social media accounts for information purposes.

According to the bill, its main responsibilities in relation to food will be:

>> The formulation of a national policy and strategy for food safety and hygiene, throughout the food chain.

>> The coordination and supervision of official controls carried out by competent bodies and food laboratories to ensure that food placed on the market is safe and in accordance with the legislation.

>> Carrying out secondary audits at these bodies to confirm that the audits are effective and reliable.

>> The collection, analysis and processing of scientific data on potential food hazards, so that risk assessment and management can be carried out.

>> To cooperate with the European Commission and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), as well as with international organizations, to harmonize the Cypriot practice with European and international standards.

Finally, it will be responsible for issuing instructions and setting rules of good hygiene practice for food businesses.

What powers is it expected to have?

The powers of the Authority, always based on the relevant bill, extend to rewarding businesses that comply with the legislation, but also to imposing fines on those who break the law. That is, it will have the power to issue binding opinions and orders, to annul decisions and to recommend the application of administrative sanctions and fines.

In detail, the Authority will be able to:

>> Issues binding decisions to official bodies/laboratories.

>> Annuls illegal decisions of bodies and orders legal actions when it finds omissions.

>> Gives orders to carry out an official audit of any food/feed business and to require a report on health/safety issues. The bodies must respond within a "reasonable" time or as specified by the Authority.

>> To decide on sanctions. In other words, it will have the possibility to impose administrative fines on anyone who obstructs or hinders the control of the Authority; A "reward" framework is also provided.

The bill also provides for the creation of an Advisory Body with up to 21 members, which will provide strategic directions, while the Directorate of Risk Assessment, Food Science and Consumer Protection will undertake scientific studies, information and education of the public and, at the same time, subcommittees will be created for specialized scientific and technical fields.

Legal person governed by public law

The Authority will operate as a legal entity under public law, will have full administrative and operational independence and will be governed, according to the bill, by a seven-member board of directors, the members of which will be appointed by the Council of Ministers.

The President and Vice-President of the HELMEPA will work full-time and exclusively, while the remaining members will have scientific and administrative experience in areas such as hygiene, veterinary medicine, agronomy, chemistry, biology, nutrition or related subjects.

The funding will come from the state budget, while there will be an obligation to keep books and the possibility of issuing Regulations for its effective operation.

The bill was prepared by the Ministry of Health and, as we are informed, has already been subjected to the necessary legal technical review by the Legal Service. Barring any unforeseen circumstances and if the government's intentions remain the same, the bill will very soon be approved for submission to Parliament.

Of course, how the final text, which will eventually be voted into law, will be formed, remains unknown, since there is the possibility of amendments which may even bring about serious changes in the philosophy of operation of the Authority, as it has been formulated by the Ministry of Health.

Reactions, moreover, are also likely to arise from affected bodies, such as companies importing or selling food, feed or plant protection products.