According to a press release from Ministry of National Development (MND) released on July 26, SFA will be set up under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), taking food-related functions over from Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Lim Kok Thai, CEO of AVA will be concurrently appointed as head of SFA.
Source: Ministry of National Development Straits Times Graphics
Function
Integrating all food-related resources and capabilities, SFA will oversee food safety and security as well as food safety regulations across the entire supply chain. As a dedicated agency, SFA will be able to rapidly address issues using optimized management.
In order to develop food supply and industry, SFA will facilitate more business-friendly regulations (eg. More efficient licensing process), cooperate with food establishments to enhance capabilities, tap on high-technologies to increase productivity, undertake research to develop new lines of business and advance industry transformation.
Minister for MEWR, Masagos Zulkifli said, the formation of SFA would be timely as Singapore had planned to turn food challenges (eg. climate change) into strategic advantages. Before next April, AVA, NEA, HAS will continue carrying out current functions. Once SFA is formed officially, AVA will cease to exist.