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Food Hygiene Rating Bill set for Welsh assembly vote | Food Hygiene Rating Bill set for Welsh assembly vote |
(35 minutes later) | |
Wales is set to move a step closer to becoming the first part of the UK to force restaurants and cafes to display their hygiene ratings. | Wales is set to move a step closer to becoming the first part of the UK to force restaurants and cafes to display their hygiene ratings. |
Members of the Welsh assembly will vote on the Food Hygiene Rating Bill, which will require businesses to carry a rating of 0-5. | Members of the Welsh assembly will vote on the Food Hygiene Rating Bill, which will require businesses to carry a rating of 0-5. |
Business leaders have expressed concern over the "scores on the doors" system, which is currently voluntary. | Business leaders have expressed concern over the "scores on the doors" system, which is currently voluntary. |
It is the final stage at the assembly before going for Royal Assent. | It is the final stage at the assembly before going for Royal Assent. |
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths will lead the plenary debate on Tuesday, before AMs vote in the final stages of the proposed bill. | Health Minister Lesley Griffiths will lead the plenary debate on Tuesday, before AMs vote in the final stages of the proposed bill. |
The new law seeks to build on a voluntary scheme, in which restaurants, takeaways and supermarkets in Wales display food hygiene ratings. | The new law seeks to build on a voluntary scheme, in which restaurants, takeaways and supermarkets in Wales display food hygiene ratings. |
Businesses will be rated with a score of between 0 and 5 - with 0 meaning urgent improvement is necessary and a 5 meaning hygiene standards are very good. | Businesses will be rated with a score of between 0 and 5 - with 0 meaning urgent improvement is necessary and a 5 meaning hygiene standards are very good. |
Ratings will have to be displayed in a prominent position or businesses will face a fine. | Ratings will have to be displayed in a prominent position or businesses will face a fine. |
Business leaders have previously said the Welsh government has not been vigorous enough in assessing the impact the law may have on firms. | Business leaders have previously said the Welsh government has not been vigorous enough in assessing the impact the law may have on firms. |
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concern that the ratings system will be extended to producers and wholesalers. | The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concern that the ratings system will be extended to producers and wholesalers. |
Meanwhile, Consumer Focus Wales (CFW) had concerns that businesses could be given 21 days to appeal against the ratings, meaning a possible delay of almost two months before the information is displayed. | Meanwhile, Consumer Focus Wales (CFW) had concerns that businesses could be given 21 days to appeal against the ratings, meaning a possible delay of almost two months before the information is displayed. |
'Public deserves transparency' | 'Public deserves transparency' |
Both organisations gave evidence to the assembly's Health and Social Care Committee last year. | Both organisations gave evidence to the assembly's Health and Social Care Committee last year. |
Sharon Mills, whose son Mason Jones died in Wales' largest E. coli outbreak, backs the law. | Sharon Mills, whose son Mason Jones died in Wales' largest E. coli outbreak, backs the law. |
Mason, from Deri, near Bargoed, Rhymney Valley, died in 2005. A further 157 people, mostly children, became ill during the outbreak. | Mason, from Deri, near Bargoed, Rhymney Valley, died in 2005. A further 157 people, mostly children, became ill during the outbreak. |
A butcher was prosecuted for breaking food safety laws and was jailed for a year in 2007. | A butcher was prosecuted for breaking food safety laws and was jailed for a year in 2007. |
Ms Mills said: "I think it's very important because the public deserves transparency. | Ms Mills said: "I think it's very important because the public deserves transparency. |
"It is what we've called for since the outbreak in 2005 and I believe the public have a right to know if the food they're eating is safe." | "It is what we've called for since the outbreak in 2005 and I believe the public have a right to know if the food they're eating is safe." |
She did not think the current voluntary scheme was enough, because the public needed to know, and know the reasons for a low score. | She did not think the current voluntary scheme was enough, because the public needed to know, and know the reasons for a low score. |
She could not say that the scheme would have saved her son, but there was "strong evidence from around the world that shows that mandatory display is extremely effective". | She could not say that the scheme would have saved her son, but there was "strong evidence from around the world that shows that mandatory display is extremely effective". |
Professor Hugh Pennington, who chaired a public inquiry into the 2005 outbreak, said the system meant consumers could have "trust in the business that's based on actual evidence in front of their eyes". | |
"It's also an advantage to the business as well because it's almost...a certificate of approval," he added. | |
But Iestyn Davies, of the FSB Wales, said the voluntary scheme was already working and there were "contradictions" in the proposed legislation. | |
He added: "What we said to the committee was, if you really want to drive out bad practice, have a simple pass-fail kind of criteria and really reward those businesses who are going the extra mile." |