« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Scottish Executive and Food Standards Agency Response to the Report of the Task Force E. coli O157
FOREWORD
The Task Force on
E. coli O157 established by my predecessor in 2000 was intended to address the many diverse issues underpinning Scotland's unenviable record of
E. coli O157 infection in an open, innovative and holistic way. The substantive report which emerged from that process, in 2001, was cogent, comprehensive and compelling. It provides a fine example of the value which can emerge from the inclusive, cross-cutting and action-oriented ethos which is the foundation for all the work of the Scottish Executive:
making it work together.
Since July 2001, the Scottish Executive and the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) have been working, with others, including UK Government Departments and NHSScotland, to consider, cost and implement the detailed recommendations made by the Task Force. We have already achieved a great deal, for example:
the Food Standards Agency has initiated a 20 million "Food Hygiene" awareness and publicity campaign, which aims to communicate a range of different seasonal messages at appropriate times throughout the year;
the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) has been provided with appropriate additional funding from 2001-02, in order to initiate an enhanced programme of infection and disease surveillance;
formal guidance has been issued to the National Reference Laboratory (SERL) restating protocols consistent with Task Force recommendations;
guidance has been issued to water authorities on the need to give particular attention to testing water from high-risk catchment areas for coliforms and
E. coli O157, and the consequentials of detection;
"Private Water Supply Regulation: a consultation" was issued in November 2001;
"Guidance on Recreational Use of Animal Pasture", detailing sensible precautions, was distributed to relevant organisations in March 2002;
the Cairns Smith Group has taken account of Task Force recommendations relevant to outbreak management, and published revised guidance in April 2002.
We will build on those achievements. We recognise the threat posed by
E. coli O157 and the challenge of continuing to respond positively and substantively to the many diverse actions proposed by the Task Force.
MALCOLM CHISHOLM, MSP
Minister for Health and Community Care
« Previous | Contents | Next »