Food and Feed Safety and Hygiene Framework | Scottish Parliament

Food and Feed Safety and Hygiene Framework

Author: Courtney Aitken, Annie Bosse and Sarah McKay

PDF Published: Wednesday 29 Jun 2022 (SB 22-44)

The image illustrate the different stages common frameworks go through as they are developed. The development comprises five phases: (1) brings together the UK Government and devolved administrations to engage in initial discussions on how the common framework should proceed. (2) focussed on detailed policy development. (3) Period of review, consultation and further policy development. (4) Framework is agreed and implemented. Scottish Parliament committees are involved in scrutiny. (5) Post-implementation arrangements.

Image: What is the process for developing frameworks ?

The diagram depicts a four stage decision-making process at the Ministerial level. At the first level, agreed risk management recommendations are put to Ministers for consideration. If the recommendation is agreed by Ministers in all for nations, it is implemented. However, if there is no consensus, the Ministerial dispute resolution process is initiated.

Image: Ministerial Decision Making Process

Policy Dispute (Top Panel): The diagram shows a process consisting of four steps. If officials disagree about whether to take a divergent approach they put their disagreement in writing. The second step (Level 1) is that the dispute is referred to the Four Nations Directors Group. If this group cannot resolve the disagreement the dispute is escalated to what is described as Level 2. At this point, the dispute is referred to a bilateral meeting of the food safety bodies' Chair, Deputy Chair and/or CEOs. If they cannot resolve the disagreement, step four is that the dispute is escalated further to the Ministerial dispute resolution process. Framework Dispute (Bottom Panel): The diagram shows a process consisting of four steps. If officials disagree about the interpretation of framework processes or a potential breach, they put their disagreement in writing. The second step (Level 1) is that the dispute is referred to the Four Nations Directors Group. If this group cannot resolve the disagreement the dispute is escalated to what's described as Level 2. At this point, the dispute is referred to a bilateral meeting of the food safety bodies' Chair, Deputy Chair and/or CEOs. If they cannot resolve the disagreement, step four is that the dispute is escalated further to the Ministerial dispute resolution process.

Image: Official Level Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Process

Image showing the proposed structure for intergovernmental relations.

Image: Image showing the proposed structure for intergovernmental relations.

The diagram displays the order in which disputes are dealt with. It shows a rectangle, the official level, and a triangle, the ministerial level, above the rectangle. The official level comprises officials at the bottom and senior officials above them. The Ministerial level comprises interministerial groups, above them interministerial committees, and above them the Council. A disagreement is first dealt with at the official level, signified by an arrow pointing inwards towards the bottom of the rectangle. All levels are connected by purple arrows pointing upwards which signify that the disagreement is escalated. At all levels, a blue arrow points outwards to the right-hand side to signify resolution. At the two top tiers, the interministerial committees and the Council can 'agree to disagree', signified by an orange arrow pointing to the left-hand side, at which point they are required to make a statement to legislatures.

Image: Dispute Resolution at official and Ministerial levels

Last Updated: 25/12 9:15pm

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