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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) last year carried out more inspections and imposed higher amount of fines in administrative proceedings than two years ago. The CAFIA also received and dealt with more suggestions from the public in 2006 than in 2005. Last year, it defended its Quality Management System.

Detailed figures are given in CAFIA Annual Reports for 2006 and 2005 published on CAFIA website. Taking into account that they are relatively extensive, some comparative figures are given in the following text.

In the course of 2006, CAFIA inspectors made a total of 25 737 entries to premises of food business operators (in 2005 - 23 645 inspections). Of this number, 16 490 entries were made in retail network, 7 347 in the production, 1 798 in wholesale warehouses and 102 elsewhere (restaurants, during transport). Within these entries, 48 018 inspections were carried out.

This outline of inspection activities only includes the results of targeted inspections. Therefore, they cannot be evidence of food safety and quality in general and cannot be used to establish development trends.

In 2006, CAFIA inspectors identified 4 744 unsatisfactory samples of foodstuffs and other products. In 2005, a total of 5 691 unsatisfactory samples were identified. The highest numbers concerned fruit and vegetables.

When unlawful conditions are identified, the Inspection Authority orders food business operators to remedy identified shortcomings. In 2006, the CAFIA imposed 11 086 bans amounting to CZK 49,958,420 (in 2005, a total of 11 434 bans amounting to CZK 31,496,964).

Based on inspection results, 3 725 bans on placing foodstuffs on the market totalling CZK 1,954,606 were imposed on food of animal origin (milk products, poultry, rabbits, eggs, meat, meat products, fish and aquatic animals). Furthermore, food products with a relatively high number of bans were chocolate and sweets on which 978 bans amounting to CZK 1,399,625 were imposed and bakery products on which 784 bans amounting to CZK 4,890,903 were imposed. The largest financial volume of bans on placing on the market (CZK 15,166,255) was imposed in the commodity of wine.

In 2006, a total of 1 712 administrative proceedings were lawfully closed, in which fines amounting to CZK 32,442,100 were imposed. In comparison with 2005, the total amount of fines increased by CZK 19,282,600. For what offences the CAFIA imposed the sanctions the most often is specified in the above mentioned report.

In 2006, the CAFIA received 2 829 suggestions from the public, which is 163 suggestions more than two years ago. Of the total number of suggestions, 924 were assessed as legitimate.

CAFIA control actions and related processes are based on a framework of legal regulations and overall philosophy of the European Union. The Inspection Authority more and more participates in the cooperation of EU bodies involved in food controls, as well as in other areas.

After the accession of the CR to the EU, the CAFIA introduced Quality Management System which was successfully certified by British company BVQI in September 2005 and which the authority defended last year. “The Quality Management System is fully functioning and therefore complies with the requirements of ČSN EN ISO 9001:2001”, this is the statement of auditor in conclusion of assessment report the CAFIA obtained by the end of November 2006. The certification applies to the Performance of activities of administrative authority performing state supervision in the field of foodstuffs and selected products.