Port Health Advisory Panel

CIEH's advisory panels are set up across six key areas of work. Our Port Health Advisory Panel helps us to form our policy positions, advises us on consultation responses and submissions as well as feeding in a source of expertise and knowledge to our policy work and campaigns.

Mission Statement

The Port Health Advisory Panel supports, promotes and enhances the role of CIEH members working in port health both at the border and inland to protect the biosecurity of the UK against public, animal and environmental health risks presented by foodstuffs, feed and other cross-border hazards. 

Strategic objectives

1. Positively influence the development and subsequent implementation of the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR) through new/updated UK legislation and guidance.  Work collaboratively across the system with key stakeholders and consider international best practices to provide the highest level of health protection preparedness and strengthen the health protection response at the border. 
2. Monitor the development and implementation of the new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) regime, lobbying, and supporting members (at the border and inland) as required. This includes the cascading of key messages, supporting interpretation, preparedness, and implementation. 
3. Explore the potential and identify options for environmental health professionals to competently deliver official controls on products of animal origin (POAO); equivalent to that of official veterinarians at the border and inland. 

Panel members

What we're doing

What we're saying

Key messages

• Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) play a critical role in mitigating the risks posed by illegal food imports, serving as both the first (at our ports and borders) and second (in LA food safety teams and within organisations) lines of defence against these risks. Their work spans:
  • At ports and borders: EHPs are instrumental in inspecting and intercepting illegal imports, ensuring that only safe, compliant products enter the UK market.
  • In local authority food safety teams: EHPs conduct rigorous food sampling at premises, a key activity in identifying and addressing risks posed by illegally imported products that may have entered the supply chain.
  • Within organisations: EHPs also work internally within organisations to maintain the integrity of their supply chains, ensuring that all products meet the UK's stringent food safety standards.
• CIEH advocates for sustained and adequate funding, support, and resources. There is a pressing need for sustainable funding models, potentially self-financed or alternative mechanisms, to ensure that the costs levied on importers do not adversely affect the industry or limit consumer access to healthy food options.
• CIEH reiterates the need for greater recognition, funding, and support for Environmental Health professionals. As the UK navigates the complexities of illegal food imports and their public health implications, empowering EH services with the necessary resources are imperative for maintaining the safety and integrity of our food supply chain.
• CIEH wish to promote the fact that EHOs can fulfil the responsibilities carried out by OVs in respect of post-mortem POAO check across various food sectors. This dual capacity presents a significant opportunity, particularly considering that Great Britain stands as the primary source of EHOs. By recognising this, we can address the concerning depletion of OVs within the EU and globally. This is not a replacement of OVs at our ports and borders but supplementing their falling numbers.
• CIEH argues that exiting the EU has meant lost access to vital intelligence about risks presented by imported SPS goods to biosecurity, food safety, public and animal health. The UK now must build its own intelligence networks.