Food Safety First: Listeria Regulatory Changes 2026
19 Mar 2026
Loughry Campus
Understanding the Impact of 2026 Legislative Changes on the Food Industry
Food businesses across Northern Ireland are invited to attend an important information and awareness conference focusing on upcoming changes to Listeria legislation and what they mean for industry compliance.
In response to amendments to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005, which will come into effect on 1 July 2026, CAFRE is hosting a dedicated Listeria awareness event for the Northern Ireland food industry.
The conference will take place on Thursday 19 March 2026, from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm, at Loughry Campus, Cookstown, and is designed to help food businesses prepare for the new regulatory requirements.
Key topics
- Listeria and listeriosis, including pathogenicity
- Recent food industry outbreaks and product recalls
- Listeria from an industry perspective
- Best practice in cleaning and disinfection
- Legislative changes effective from July 2026 and their implications for food businesses
- Industry support and knowledge transfer opportunities
Bookings are now full for this event. If you would like to register late interest please click here.
Event Agenda:
| 9:30 am | Registration and tea/coffee on arrival |
| 10:00 am | Welcome: Peter Simpson Head of Food Technology Branch: Loughry Campus CAFRE |
| 10:15 am | An overview of the listeria family, pathogenicity and recent food industry outbreaks: Dr Paul Beers: Paul Beers Innovations |
| 11:00 am | Industry support and findings from Northern Ireland listeria project: Russell Ramage: CAFRE |
| 11:30 am | Cleaning, disinfection and biofilms: Dr Paul Beers: Paul Beers Innovations |
| 11:55 am | Primary production and best practice considerations: Demi Ellis DAERA |
| 12:20 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm | Upcoming legislative changes: Kevin Connolly: FSANI Senior Policy Advisor (Hygiene) |
| 1:30 pm | Environmental Health and the Approach to Compliance: Marissa McCormick: Principal Environmental Health Officer (Food Safety and Port Health) Derry City and Strabane District Council. |
| 1:50 pm | Questions and summary from panel |
| 2:10 pm | Optional tours of Food Technology Centre / Networking |
| 2:30 – 3.00pm | Close |