Take note, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) no longer exists. Yes, it’s April 1, but hold on to your hats, ’cause this isn’t a joke. (Unless the government planned it way in advance.)
Formed in 2000 to regulate food safety, protect animal welfare, and safeguard plant health, the statutory board has been restructured to become the newly-formed Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) under National Parks Board (NParks), with effect from today.
According to an announcement on its site, its food-related services, including issues like foodborne disease outbreaks, will fall under SFA, while animal health and animal-related issues for pet owners and business will go to AVS, with NParks being the main contact for plant health and wildlife management services.
SFA, which comes under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, will consolidate the regulation of food safety and security, with selected functions from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) transferred over.
Taking over the former AVA Facebook page, SFA yesterday announced its last official day of operations, thanking the public for its support. This reorganization sees about 850 staff from AVA, HSA, and NEA transferred over to SFA.
So don’t be heading over to the ex-AVA Facebook page with your animal welfare complaints.
