Singapore's recently introduced a new bill that ensures food security in the country. As part of the implementation process, Singapore will set up a new agency that will oversee food safety and security in the country.
The new bill will also require importers of important food items to submit plans in order to mitigate the effects of food supply disruptions. This new requirement, along with other legislative amendments aimed to enhance Singapore's food security sector, were introduced in two particular Bills which were tabled in the country's Parliament on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
The new bill covers the establishment of the Singapore Food Agency or SFA. Additionally, the bill will also dissolve the AVA or the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority. Some functions of the AVA will then be transferred to the National Parks Board which were introduced by Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor along with Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development Sun Xueling.
In a statement acquired by Channel News Asia, a Ministry of National Development spokesperson said, "We are introducing requirements for importers of key food items to adopt plans, including preventive strategies, to mitigate the impact of supply disruptions."
The minister added that these new measures were put into place in order to further enhance Singapore's food security, especially in the face of the constantly changing global food landscape as well as the threat of climate change.
The Ministry of National Development added that all operational details for these new requirements are currently being ironed out. Furthermore, the ministry also expects to engage with food importers well within the foreseeable future.
The new statutory board which works under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources will be formally established on Apr. 1. One of the many responsibilities of this new board is to take over food-related responsibilities from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority.
Under the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the food-related functions currently carried out by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, the Health Sciences Authority, and the National Environment Agency will be under one body. One of the major responsibilities of SFA will be the regulation of Singapore's food supply chain.
The adoption of the new bill is a response to the growing threat of rapid climate change that is threatening Singapore's food security. This data is taken from the 2018 Global Food Security Index.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said: "Singapore signs new food security law". The Bills proposing the legislative amendments were only introduced on 15 Jan 2019, and have not been passed.
