During the last two days the Food Law Enforcement Practitioners’ Forum held its 30th meeting in Gozo. This is the second time this body has held a meeting on the Maltese islands but the first time in Gozo.

The Food Law Enforcement Practitioners’ forum is an organisation open to all EU member states, EFTA countries and candidate countries. The purpose of such meeting is primarily to update food safety enforcement officers on new practices and legislation, but most importantly as a means of networking between regulators from different European states. The Environmental Health Directorate is represented on this forum and its director, John Attard Kingswell has also been a member on the steering committee of the forum for the last five years.

This year’s event was attended by thirty-seven participants which is one of the most well attended meetings, possibly due to the location of this year’s venue. Participants have praised the organisation and most have expressed their enjoyment of their visit to the beautiful island of Gozo.

The meeting was funded by the Ministry for Gozo with the assistance of the Gozo Tourism Authority. Promotional material on Eco-Gozo, one of the Government’s visions for 2015 was well received by the delegates who asked various questions about the initiative.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono addressed the gathering. Whilst thanking the forum for selecting Gozo to hold this year’s meeting, she outlined the work performed by the Gozo branch of the Environmental Health Directorate in enforcing food safety. The Minister emphasised the importance of food safety particularly for a small island like Gozo which is dependent on both foreign and internal tourism. She explained that the Government is heavily committed in ensuring the safety of the public and consumers’ rights.

Mr. Hans Jeuring, chairman of the Food Law Enforcement Practitioners’ Forum thanked the Minister for her and her Ministry’s assistance. He said that the beauty of Gozo has been recognised by all participants and remarked that they are now ambassadors for Gozo and many intend to return as tourists in the near future.

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