Debated in Parliament on 3 Jul 2017.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether regulations for trade fairs and their licensing will be reviewed and updated.
Under the Environmental Public Health Act (EPHA), no one is allowed to stage any temporary fair without first obtaining a permit from the National Environment Agency (NEA). This is to ensure that all fair operators put in place measures to address potential public disamenities and public health concerns, such as cleanliness, food hygiene and waste management. For example, fair operators must have contracts with a licensed cleaning contractor to clean the fair site and a licensed waste collector to ensure adequate waste collection arrangements, while proper supporting facilities, such as washing facilities, must be provided for food stalls. The fair operator is also required to obtain written approvals from the relevant Government agencies and landowners. In addition, the fair operator is responsible for ensuring that the fair operates within the period that it is licensed and that the set-up of the stalls within the fair is in accordance with the approved layout.
Besides issuing permits to the fair operators, NEA licenses the individual operators of the food stalls in temporary fairs to ensure that the food sold is prepared hygienically and safe for consumption. All food handlers need to be registered with NEA and pass the mandatory Basic Food Hygiene Course.
NEA will take firm enforcement action, including the cancellation of food stall licences, against anyone found in violation of EPHA.
Our schemes and policies are regularly reviewed to ensure their relevance. I would like to assure the Member that we monitor the situation closely and will introduce regulatory changes, if need be, to safeguard the environment and ensure public health.
PAPERCUTS