11. Communication with the public

Fundamental Tasks

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority sees the basic principle of its relations with the general public in outspoken, truthful and on time communication. Such an approach aims to provide the consumers and businessmen with reliable information, either directly or through mass media, to inform them about CAFIA activities and – in particular – about results obtained from its activities.

Becoming effective the Act No 106/1999, Coll. of L., on Free Access to Information, as amended, a concept of the method of communication with the public has gradually been worked out, which amplified the interest in information on food safety in the Czech market, improving considerably consumer and businessmen “awareness” of this area of activities.

CAFIA pays large attention to the issues of communication with the public. A new independent Public Relations Unit (PRU), which currently employs three persons.

In addition to the main role, which is enforcing of the Act No. 106/1999, Coll. of L., PRU performs duties associated with the presentation of CAFIA in public (the so-called Public Relations). It can be noted in practice that presentation of the authority activities, of its fundamental tasks, international cooperation and results is exceptionally important also with respect to the general awareness of CAFIA with the public. During 2002 the authority Corporate Identity was successfully carried on, including official web sites, uniform visiting cards of all representatives, personnel and service passes, promotional materials, and promotional video on CAFIA.

Web Sites

The CAFIA web sites represent an important communication tool. They were entirely and fully modernized in the course of 2002 by developing their new graphic design, altering and extending their contents and changing also their functional principle. The new web sites were developed on the basis of an editorial system providing both users and administrators with maximum comfort. Their contents are modern, simple structured and yet highly valuable for its data and pleasant graphics.  The editorial system is designed as a web application with a web browser forming the platform of its functioning. The administrative part of the system is operated under the Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 and higher versions. The whole editorial system is divided in two separate, though very tightly combined parts. It also includes a browser, which facilitates searching by key words, authors, etc. By the user responses, the CAFIA web sites rank among the best classified comparable web sites of other public authorities.

The CAFIA web sites are well visited, as the data published here can be of use not only to the consumers and journalists, but also to businessmen. The sites are also published  in English version.

Table 11.1:  Number of visitors to web sites in the individual months

Summary

In 2002 PRU published the total of 58 press releases, of which 8 provided prompt information in connection with the catastrophic floods in Bohemia, the others informed about the results of inspections and further up-to-date information. Two press conferences were held – on food safety and on the results of inspections of fresh fruit and vegetables carried out in the trade network. CAFIA took an active part in the International Gastronomic Fair Salima 2002 held in Brno where the CAFIA representatives provided visitors with information in two places (their own information stand and at the stand of the Ministry of Agriculture).

The PRU responded to 1,008 queries received from the general public in 2002, of which 354 came from various mass media. The total of 1,230 articles, news and reports were published in papers, radio and television. With effect from October 2002 CAFIA has been collaborating with the Czech TV on a broadcasting for women called “At home alone” and with the daily paper “MF Dnes”, giving expert advice in the preparation of sections for consumers dealing with food issues. The CAFIA specialists contribute also to other consumer “columns” in various mass media. 

Data provided in compliance with Act No. 106/1999, Coll. of L., on Free Access to Information: 

• number of satisfied applications for information  - 1008
   
• number of appeals from decisions submitted received - 0
   
• copies of essential parts of each court decision - 0
   
• results of Administrative proceedings about penalties for non-adherence to the law without specification of personal data  - 0
   
• Other information relating to the enforcement of this law - 0

Graph 11.1.1: Number of unique visits by months

Graph 11.1.2. Number of all by months

Graph 11.1.3: Number of all visits in 2002