Estonia
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The central legal foundations for food and feed safety in Estonia are the Food Act and the Feed Act. These acts contain provisions on food and feed safety as well as specify the competent authorities and control bodies responsible for implementing risk-based measures in the field of food and feed safety. Infringement of these regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law. Government measures with regard to food safety are often based on scientific risk assessment. However, the final decision on the legality of governmental measures rests with the courts.
In Estonia, food safety risk assessment and risk management are institutionally separated. Risk assessments, scientific opinions and other statements are conducted by the Veterinary and Food Laboratory. There is no routine publishing of the results of risk assessment, however depending on the importance of the result, they can be published and/or are available upon request..
Ministry of Rural Affairs
| Name | Ministry of Rural Affairs |
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| Acronym | MEM |
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| Location | Tallinn |
| URL | https://www.agri.ee/en |
The Ministry of Rural Affairs (MEM) deals with agricultural policy in Estonia and, more particularly, with food and feed safety. The MEM prepares draft legislation in the field of food and feed and coordinates the performance of state tasks. The Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) facilitates the work of the MEM within its´s remit as the competent authority and executive body. PTA is responsible for official food and feed control and control of use of plant protection products. With regard to questions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the MEM collaborates closely with the Ministry of the Environment (KKM).
The National Reference Laboratories attached to the MEM in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 are the Veterinary and Food Laboratory and the Agricultural Research Centre. The area of work of the MEM extends beyond food and feed safety to include, for instance, plant health, animal health and animal welfare.
Veterinary and Food Laboratory
| Name | Veterinary and Food Laboratory |
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| Acronym | VTL |
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| Location | Tartu |
| URL | https://www.vetlab.ee/en |
The Veterinary and Food laboratory (VTL) is subordinate to the MEM. The tasks of VTL include performing risk assessments and risk communication related to food safety and animal health areas and providing scientific advise to the MEM and the PTA.
Agriculture and Food Board
| Name | Agriculture and Food Board |
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| Acronym | PTA |
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| Locations | Tallinn and Saku |
| URL | https://www.pta.agri.ee/en |
The Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) is subordinate to the MEM. The main focus of the work of the PTA is risk management and risk communication. The PTA monitors and coordinates relevant tasks performed by local offices; the local offices are grouped under 4 regions. Risk assessments on food safety and animal health are outsourced to research institutes, universities and the Veterinary and Food Laboratory, while plant protection products safety is assessed by PTA.
The activities of the PTA focus on ensuring food and feed safety and cover all the major topics, such as feed, food supplements, GMOs, food contact materials, zoonoses, novel foods, residues of veterinary medicinal products and plant protection products. The area of work of the PTA extends beyond food and feed safety to include, for instance, plant health, animal health and animal welfare, organic production, animal breeding and market control.
Ministry of Social Affairs
| Name | Ministry of Social Affairs |
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| Acronym | SM |
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| Location | Tallinn |
| URL | https://www.sm.ee/en |
The Ministry of Social Affairs (SM) deals with health policy in Estonia. It prepares draft legislation in the field of drinking water, mineral water and spring water. The SM, MEM and KKM work together in the field of GMOs. The Health Board (TA) and the State Agency of Medicines (RA) support the work of the SM in their capacity as the competent authorities. The RA is the regulatory authority for veterinary medicinal products in Estonia, except for their use by veterinarians and animal keepers, which is in the remit of responsibility of the Veterinary and Food Board (VTA).
The task area of the SM extends, amongst others, to questions on nutrition in public institutions in Estonia (nutritional value of food, varied and balanced nutrition).
Health Board
| Name | Health Board |
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| Acronym | TA |
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| Location | Tallinn |
| URL | https://www.terviseamet.ee/en |
The Health Board (TA) is subordinate to the SM. The TA is responsible for risk assessments, risk management measures and risk communication in the area of drinking water, natural mineral water and spring water.
The TA is the competent authority for natural mineral water and drinking water, and monitors and coordinates tasks of relevant regional and local authorities.
The National Reference Laboratories attached to the TA in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 perform a range of food safety tests, for example on food contact materials and plant protection product residues in food.
Regional and local levels
The PTA has 15 local offices grouped under 4 regions of Estonia. These local offices are responsible for enacting food and feed legislation, for food and feed inspections, for plant health and controlling the use of plant protection products, amongst other issues. The TA consists of a central authority and four regional departments which have further divisions in 15 counties.
