"Spanish food safety standards are among the highest in the world", says Luis Planas

He went on to add that this means consumers all over the world can be guaranteed that Spanish food products have been produced and prepared safely throughout the food chain.

He explained that high food safety standards not only protect public health but lead to improved revenue for crop and livestock farmers and increases business opportunities in both national and international markets.

With these words, Luis Planas joined in the celebration of the first World Food Safety Day, approved by the United Nations to raise awareness of the need to promote initiatives that improve food safety around the world, improve access to food and foster more sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Luis Planas added that the protection of health through food safety begins with its production in the field and continues through all links in the chain before reaching the point of sale to consumers.

To ensure this is a reality, producers and retailers have an effective system of official controls established by EU regulations and contained in the National Plan on Controls in the Food Chain.

These controls, which are implemented by regional governments in Spain, include important aspects such as border controls, prevention, control and eradication of the main animal diseases and hygiene in primary production (plant and animal). All of this is supported by proper traceability, which is one of the pillars of food safety in the European Union.

World Food Safety Day

World Food Safety Day is being celebrated for the first time on 7 June 2019 under the slogan of "Food Safety, everyone's business". The United Nations wishes to highlight that food safety and health is an issue for all citizens because the way in which it is produced, stored, handled and consumed affects the safety of all food.

Hence, this international organisation is encouraging the various international players to establish effective food control regulations, provide access to drinking water, apply best practices in farming and educate consumers on the choice of healthy food.

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