What action has been taken following the publication of Task Force on E.coli O157: Final Report in 2001.

The Task Force on E.coli O157 was intended to address many diverse issues underpinning the history of E.coli O157 infection in Scotland in an open, innovative and holistic way. The substantive report which emerged from that process in 2001 was cogent and compelling. It provides a fine example of the value which can emerge from the inclusive, cross-cutting and action oriented ethos which is the foundation for all the work of the Scottish Executive. The Executive and the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) are grateful to the chairman and members of the task force, for producing an excellent report and a comprehensive range of related recommendations.Since July 2001, the Scottish Executive and the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) have been working, with others, including UK Government Departments and NHSScotland, to consider, cost and implement the detailed recommendations made by the task force. We have already achieved a great deal, for example:the Food Standards Agency has initiated a £20 million "Food Hygiene" awareness and publicity campaign which will incorporate food safety advice on E.coli O157;
the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) has been provided with appropriate additional funding from 2001-02, in order to initiate an enhanced programme of infection and disease surveillance;
formal guidance has been issued to the National Reference Laboratory (SERL) restating protocols consistent with task force recommendations;
guidance has been issued to water authorities on the need to give particular attention to testing water from high-risk catchment areas for coliforms and E.coli O157;
Private Water Supply Regulation: a consultation was issued in November 2001;
Guidance on Recreational Use of Animal Pasture, was distributed to relevant organisations in March 2002, and
the Cairns Smith Group has taken account of task force recommendations relevant to outbreak management and published revised guidance in April 2002.
The Scottish Executive and the Food Standards Agency(Scotland) will build on those achievements, given the continuing threat posed by E.coli O157 and the many diverse actions proposed by the task force.The Scottish Executive and the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) have today published a joint response to the report of the Task Force on E.coli O157. Copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The report is also available on both the Scottish Executive and Food Standards Agency (Scotland) website.