This research falls under the Operational Transformation Programme (OTP) which aims

to modernise the regulatory framework for the Official Controls. Food Business

Operators (FBOs) in the meat, wine and dairy sectors all have a direct relationship with

the Food Standards Agency (FSA) via its Official Controls, including inspections,

enforcement, advice and guidance.

In 2020, the FSA piloted research to better understand the views that FBOs in England

and Wales had of the FSA and Official Controls. This research explored several areas

including overall views of the FSA, FBOs understanding of the FSA’s role and purpose,

what FBOs value about the FSA and criticisms, FBOs experience of certain FSA

processes, ease of compliance with FSA guidelines and requirements and their

satisfaction with FSA communications. The research consisted of both quantitative and

qualitative interviews with wine and meat FBOs and quantitative interviews with dairy

FBOs.

The findings report ‘FSA and Official Controls: Research with food business operators’

was published in July 2020. The findings from the quantitative part of this research will

form a baseline for the research we are now commissioning.

The FSA would like to commission this research to understand the views that FBOs

now have, to identify and monitor changes in these views over time and the impact of

FSA initiatives.

We are commissioning this research for three further waves to be conducted on a

biennial basis in 2022, 2024 and 2026. There will be a break clause after each wave of

research has been delivered to review the need for the research, the process and to

ensure alignment with FSA priorities.

The current objectives of this project are to:

1. Understand the views that FBOs have of the FSA and official controls;

2. Understand if and why these views change over time;

3. Gain insight and understand the impact of societal events, including Covid-19

and the EU exit, on FBOs views of the FSA;

4. In 2024 and 2026, understand and monitor the effects of FSA initiatives,

particularly those introduced as part of the OTP, on FBOs views.

Mid-tier Contract

Project Version: v1.0 56

Model Version: v1.0

These aims and objectives will be reviewed after each wave of research to ensure that

the research continues to be aligned to FSA priorities. The contractor will need to work

with the FSA to review all aspects of the research (from design to outputs) at each

wave.

The research will cover meat, game, wine, dairy, and shellfish FBOs across England,

Wales and Northern Ireland. In England and Wales there are approximately 870 meat

FBOs (46 of which are approved game handling establishments), 797 vineyards and

wineries, 1379 wine warehouses / traders and 8313 dairy FBOs. FBOs of all sizes are

of interest and so the supplier will be required to draw participants from a range of FBOs

to reflect this spread and ensure representative views are gathered.