Ensuring Safety and Quality in Agricultural Products:
The Directorate for Food Standards plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the production of vegetables and fresh fruit meets the highest safety and quality standards. Its core responsibility is to implement legislation and regulations that control and guide the agricultural practices related to these products. Through stringent oversight, the Directorate aims to guarantee that when agricultural products reach consumers, they are safe, of superior quality, and compliant with national, European, and international standards.
Commitment to Safety and Quality:
The Directorate’s mission is to protect consumer health while promoting the production of safe, high-quality agricultural products. By adhering to these stringent regulations and actively monitoring compliance, the Directorate ensures that both local and international consumers can trust the quality of the vegetables and fresh fruits available in the market.
Key Responsibilities:
• Legislative Implementation: The Directorate enforces a range of regulations that set strict criteria for the production and handling of vegetables and fresh fruit. This ensures that all processes, from cultivation to post-harvest preparation, adhere to the highest standards of safety and quality.
• Inspectorate Oversight: The Directorate maintains an inspectorate responsible for promoting and verifying compliance with quality standards. This team conducts inspections and assessments to ensure that agricultural products meet the necessary criteria for safe consumption.
• Compliance with International Standards: Among the standards the Directorate upholds are international guidelines from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), as well as European Union and local legislations. These standards are critical for maintaining consistency and quality across the agricultural sector.
Relevant Regulations:
The Directorate operates under various regulatory frameworks, including:
• Regulation (EU) 1308/2013: This regulation sets out the common organization of the markets in agricultural products.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 543/2011: This outlines marketing standards for fresh fruits and vegetables, including subsequent amendments.
• Regulation (EU) 2017/625: Focuses on official controls to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health, and plant protection products.
• Legal Notice 153 of 2024: Enacted under the Agriculture Act (Chap. 639), this local legislation pertains to the production of food of non-animal origin, including vegetables, fresh fruits, and seedlings, with strict measures to prevent contamination at all stages of production.
These regulations collectively establish controls that prevent contamination risks and ensure that the products are safe from cultivation through to preparation and sale.
