Asked by: Baroness Blood (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the UK withdrawing from the EU will have on Port Health Authorities.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Government is considering the impacts of the decision to leave the European Union, including the impact on Port Health Authorities (PHAs). The Government recognises the significant contribution PHAs make to public and animal health protection and the United Kingdom is committed to ensuring any potential impacts to PHAs are well managed.
Asked by: Baroness Blood (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the most recent meetings they have had with the Association of Port Health Authorities.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) can confirm since June 2016, FSA officials have met for discussions with Port Health Authority officials from the following ports:
- Belfast
- Felixstowe
- Southampton
- Gatwick
- Doncaster
- Heathrow
An official from the FSA will provide a presentation on imports and exports policy at the Association of Port Health Authorities (APHA) annual general meeting on Wednesday 30th November 2016. At the meeting, APHA members will be encouraged to provide their thoughts and views on the future work of Port Health Authorities in the United Kingdom.
A number of large UK ports are no longer members of APHA. These ports have formed another group which hold regular (quarterly) ‘Major Ports Forum’ meetings. The FSA, The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and The Animal and Plant Health Agency actively participate in all of these meetings.
The Government will continue to collaborate with Port Health Authorities going forward to ensure impacts on Port Health Authorities are fully considered in any policy making decisions.
Asked by: Baroness Blood (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current funding arrangements for the Association of Port Health Authorities.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Association of Port Health Authorities is currently self-funded by its Members. It is not anticipated that this will change following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.