§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he will employ to ensure that the independent verifiers of the new British farm standards apply appropriate tests to create consumer confidence in this label. [118624]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 11 April 2000]: The Government are not directly responsible for this, but are encouraging the NFU (National Farmers' Union) who are developing the new mark, "British Farm Standard". The NFU intend that the mark should only appear on food which meets the requirements of a qualifying farm assurance scheme. We understand that one requirement on the assurance schemes will be that they should have obtained UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accreditation or have a plan in place to achieve it. UKAS accreditation can only be obtained if all participants are subject to independent verification. Through verification, participants are subject to regular inspection which will ensure that they meet the high standards of food safety, animal welfare and environmental responsibility as well as other conditions of production that are required by the assurance schemes. The NFU intend to explain to consumers these key values which will underpin the mark.