Openness

Friday 23 November 2001

One of the Food Standards Agency's core values is that the Agency should be open and accessible.

While the Consultative Group's main role is to contribute to technical discussions and provide support to the Agency in its work on the reduction of Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken, it must still operate with these principles in mind. Members have agreed that the following approach will be followed:

• The Food Standards Agency will distribute copies of this paper on request, as the Consultative Group's 'statement' on openness.
• A short statement announcing the formation of the Consultative Group will be placed on the Web site and in FSA news. Contacts points for additional information will be provided.
• A paper outlining the role and membership of the Group will be placed on the FSA Web site and hard copies supplied to interested parties on request.
• The Food Standards Agency recognises that, due to the nature of the Group's work, there may be occasions when information cannot be released as it is, for example, commercially sensitive. The Food Standards Agency will consider each case individually and determine whether it is appropriate to release such information.
• The Agency does not anticipate holding open CGCSC meetings, as the Group’s main role is to contribute to technical discussions and it does not have a formal advisory or decision making role.
• After each meeting, a summary of the discussions taking place and the progress towards meeting the target will be placed on the Web site. Discussion papers will be made available on request.
• The Food Standards Agency will present papers on the Agency's work on reducing Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken at seminars, conferences and meetings as appropriate. The work of the Group will be included in such presentations.
• The Food Standards Agency will take opportunities to promote the transfer of information which will assist in its work towards reducting Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken.