Press release: Food safety and quality must be at the highest level, and oversight effective and transparent

NEWS

2024-12-09

PRESS RELEASE Tallinn, 9 December 2024

PRESS RELEASE
Tallinn, 9 December 2024

The Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, the Estonian Food Industry Association and the Merchants' Association have conveyed to Raimo Heinam, the new Director General of the Agriculture and Food Board (PTA), the position: Food safety and quality must be at the highest level, and oversight effective and transparent.

The Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, the Estonian Food Industry Association and the Merchants' Association congratulate Raimo Heinam on becoming Director General of the Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) and wish him strength and success in this important role. The PTA's role is decisive in ensuring the safety and quality of food from Estonia, the European Union and third countries alike.

Kerli Ats, Director of the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce:

"Effective and transparent oversight by the PTA is essential, but a balance must be struck between how oversight is organised, the principles of risk assessment and the frequency of inspections. It is important to focus on the genuinely problematic businesses and individuals who disregard food safety and animal welfare. For us it remains important that the result of the PTA's work is high-quality and safe food, because that is what food producers are working towards too. Producers also expect permits to be processed as quickly and smoothly as possible. Attention is also needed for opening up third-country markets and maintaining cooperation in those markets. In addition, it is extremely important that the PTA preserves the high reputation of Estonian food: the clear message 'Estonian food is clean' must be visible in both domestic and foreign markets. We wish Raimo every success and look forward to fruitful cooperation."

Sirje Potisepp, Director of the Estonian Food Industry Association:

"The Estonian food industry has developed rapidly in recent years, while the PTA's oversight reach has expanded considerably, covering markets, fairs, pop-up cafés and e-commerce as well. This requires additional resources and a well-coordinated approach. Increasing the PTA's budget and making oversight more efficient should be priorities. I wish Raimo Heinam strength to ensure both consumer safety and entrepreneurs' freedom to operate."

Nele Peil, CEO of the Merchants' Association:

"Above all, we expect the PTA to focus on increasing efficiency, in order to simplify and speed up processes and help reduce costs for all parties. There is still room to make the system more efficient, and in cooperation with the new Director General we hope to make use of those opportunities."

The PTA's task is to be a reliable partner to all food producers and market participants, providing confidence both in Estonia and internationally. Under Raimo Heinam's leadership, we look forward to continued contributions to ensuring Estonian food safety and quality and to maintaining public trust.

For more information:
Meeli Lindsaar
Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce
Head of Food Sector
Tel: 600 9349