How does your proposed scheme fit in with the Scottish trial?
The outcomes from trials in Scotland will be fed back to Agency HQ to be considered alongside results from the rest of the UK.
How does this FSA proposed scheme fit in with the London CIEH scheme?
The Agency will shortly decide what scheme(s) will be trialled. When the Agency met last week with the London Food Co-ordinating Group and CIEH, we explained that it was perfectly possible for the cross London scheme to be included in any Agency trials.
Given the increased pressure to be more transparent withrestaurant inspections, how is the FSA working to ensure that the country works towards a unified, fair and equitable solution?
A number of local authorities have provided information on the results of food hygiene inspections on their respective websites (partly in response to Freedom of Information Act requirements) and some authorities have trialled information being displayed on the premises. The Agency supports these initiatives. The FSA’s "scores on the doors" trials are intended to come to a single scheme which would have Agency endorsement and which could then be rolled out across the country.
Will the FSA be directing a co-ordinated approach across the country?
The idea of the trials is to develop a scheme that would then become the Agency notional scheme and we would hope as many LAs as possible would participate.
Is it likely that we will need new legislation to make the system work?
New legislation would be required to make any scheme compulsory. No decision will be made until after the trials on whether legislation should be sought.
What kind of timetable are we looking at for getting scores on the doors?
It is hoped that Agency-sponsored trials can commence later this year. It is expected it could take up to two years until we arrive at a position to promote a preferred scheme.