From 1 April 2021, Food Standards Scotland is responsible for carrying out official controls (this includes sampling and inspections) and enforcement of feed law. The Feed (Transfer of Functions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 transfer competence for feed law functions from local authorities to FSS, and provides the power to delegate functions to a qualifying third party. In some areas of Scotland, FSS is delegating feed official control delivery to local authorities on its behalf.
Details of who carries out official control delivery across Scotland are provided below.
| Local authority (LA) | Competent authority | FSS or LA |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | FSS | Aberdeenshire Council |
| Aberdeenshire | FSS | Aberdeenshire Council |
| Angus | FSS | Angus Council |
| Argyll & Bute | FSS | Argyll & Bute Council |
| Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | FSS | Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Council |
| Dumfries & Galloway | FSS | FSS |
| Dundee | FSS | FSS |
| East Ayrshire | FSS | East Ayrshire Council |
| East Dunbartonshire | FSS | West Dunbartonshire Council |
| East Lothian | FSS | East Lothian Council |
| East Renfrewshire | FSS | East Renfrewshire Council |
| Edinburgh | FSS | Edinburgh Council |
| Falkirk | FSS | Falkirk Council |
| Fife | FSS | FSS |
| Glasgow | FSS | West Dunbartonshire |
| Highland | FSS | Highland Council |
| Inverclyde | FSS | FSS |
| Midlothian | FSS | Scottish Borders Council |
| Moray | FSS | Aberdeenshire Council |
| North Ayrshire | FSS | North Ayrshire Council |
| North Lanarkshire | FSS | FSS |
| Orkney | FSS | Orkney Council |
| Perth & Kinross | FSS | FSS |
| Renfrewshire | FSS | FSS |
| Scottish Borders | FSS | Scottish Borders Council |
| Shetland | FSS | Aberdeenshire Council |
| South Ayrshire | FSS | South Ayrshire Counil |
| South Lanarkshire | FSS | FSS |
| Stirling and Clackmannanshire | FSS | FSS |
| West Dunbartonshire | FSS | West Dunbartonshire Council |
| West Lothian | FSS | Falkirk Council |
Registration and approval
All businesses that make, use or market animal feed in Scotland need to register with Food Standards Scotland from 1 April 2021.
Approval applies to those establishments which carry out certain higher risk activities such as the manufacture and marketing of certain feed additives or premixtures of feed additives, or the production of feed containing specified feed additives.
Service Plan
A Service Plan has been developed which sets out how and at what level official controls of feed will be provided and takes account of national and local priorities. The Service Plan shall be subject to regular review and updating. Annual Scotland-wide inspection and sampling plans are provided in the Service Plan.
The Feed Manual and associated procedures provide advice and instruction to officers delivering official controls and enforcement. In addition to the Feed Manual and procedures, enforcement of feed shall be carried out in accordance with the Feed Enforcement Policy.
Sampling and Analysis of Feed
Most samples taken are informal samples for verification and surveillance purposes only. Formal samples, which may be used for enforcement purposes are taken in accordance with Regulation 152/2009 laying down methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of feed (updated in accordance with various EU Directives). The Annexes to the Regulation set out the detailed procedures which must be followed when analysing animal feed for a range of specified analytes or substances.
The Feed (Sampling and Analysis and Specified Undesirable Substances) (Scotland) Regulations 2010, as amended, provide for the enforcement in Scotland.
FSA sampling guidance applies to Scotland.
Samples are analysed by the Agricultural Analyst and deputies appointed by Food Standards Scotland, in accordance with the Agriculture Act 1970.
Further Information
- If you have any questions on animal feed for enforcement please email feed@fss.scot and for legislation/policy email enquiries@fss.scot.
- The Scottish Government Agriculture and Rural Delivery Directorate is responsible for animal health and welfare, agricultural and environment policy.
- The Animal and Plant Health Agency is responsible for measures on animal by-products and the control of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).
- The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is responsible for veterinary medicines legislation.
