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Before the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union and even now, after the accession, our food business operators and control bodies supervising food safety are literally bombarded with series of EC inspections. So far, members of these missions have only been experts from the “old” EU Member States. However, the situation begins to change. Since October, experts of the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) are members of EC control missions.

From 10 to 15 September, the European Commission (DG SANCO – Food and Veterinary Office) carried out a mission to Poland aimed at import controls on foodstuffs of non-animal origin imported from third countries. As national expert participating in this mission was appointed Ing. Kateřina Vávrová, methodist of CAFIA Headquartes. FVO mission was headed by Mr. Jens Hegel from Germany who was assisted by Mrs. Marie Purcell from Ireland. They have both been working as FVO inspectors for several years.

“They accepted me very heartily. I felt the friendly, partnership atmosphere. The attitude of all my colleagues was very professional”, said Ing. Vávrová after her return. “It is interesting to suddenly be on the other side, not as a subject of inspection but as a person who inspects. For me the opportunity to see how the food inspection and food businesses in Poland really work was very beneficial.” According to Ing. Vávrová, there is yet one more important role of participating in FVO missions. The aim is to strengthen the confidence of the Member States in EC inspections, and to make them more transparent.

The purpose of the mission was to verify how the system of import controls on foodstuffs of non-animal origin is in Poland ensured, how the legislation regulates import controls, and how the cooperation between the control body, which is the State Hygiene Inspection, and customs services functions. FVO inspectors also visited one processing premise. The inspection was in effect the same as we know it from FVO missions carried out in the Czech Republic.

Kateřina Vávrová is the first, but not the last and only Czech expert from CAFIA ranks who was appointed EU inspector. With regard to issues the EC inspectors deal with, other nominations of CAFIA experts for FVO missions are expected.