Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore

AVA Singapore Logo

Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) was a statutory board under the Ministry of National Development of Singapore, responsible for ensuring a resilient supply of safe food, safeguarding the health of animals and plants, and facilitating agri-trade for Singapore. Established in 2000, it was the result of a merger between the Primary Production Department and the Veterinary Department. In April 2019, AVA was restructured, and its functions were absorbed into the newly formed Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) under the National Parks Board.

History

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore was formed to integrate the roles and responsibilities of the Primary Production Department and the Veterinary Department to enhance food safety and animal health regulations in Singapore. Its establishment aimed at consolidating the efforts to ensure food security and promote the development of the agri-food industry, while also managing animal health and welfare, and plant health.

Functions and Responsibilities

AVA's key functions included:

• Food Safety and Security: Ensuring a resilient supply of safe food for Singapore through stringent standards and regulations. This involved import and export regulation, food inspection, and laboratory testing to ensure food safety standards were met.
• Animal Health and Welfare: Protecting animal welfare and controlling the spread of animal diseases. This included veterinary services, animal disease surveillance, and emergency response to animal health crises.
• Plant Health and Protection: Safeguarding plant health to facilitate agri-trade and ensure the flora in Singapore was protected from pests and diseases.
• Agri-trade Facilitation: Promoting Singapore as a hub for agri-trade by facilitating trade negotiations and opening new markets for Singapore's agri-food products.

Restructuring and Successor Organizations

In 2019, the functions of AVA were restructured and distributed between the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). The SFA took over food-related responsibilities, focusing on ensuring food safety and security for Singapore, while AVS, under the National Parks Board, assumed the roles related to animal health, welfare, and veterinary public health.

Legacy

The legacy of AVA continues through the work of SFA and AVS, with both agencies building on the foundation laid by AVA to ensure the safety and security of Singapore's food supply and the health and welfare of animals in Singapore. The restructuring was aimed at creating more focused and efficient agencies to deal with the complexities of food safety and animal health in the modern world.