HC Deb 11 March 1991 vol 187 c345W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to achieve effective industry self-regulation in food safety and food hygiene;

(2) which sectors and organisations within the food industry (a) operate and (b) propose to operate voluntary codes of practice in respect of food safety and food hygiene;

(3) if he will list by sector those food industry organisations that have submitted proposals in respect of achieving effective industry self-regulation.

Mr. Dorrell

It is the responsibility of the food industry itself to produce safe food and, like the Richmond committee, the Government encourage self-regulation. Although comprehensive information is not held centrally, we are aware of a number of food industry organisations which have prepared or are preparing guidance on food safety issues for the benefit of their members.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list seminars, workshops and other meetings, indicating whether they were addressed by(a) Ministers or (b) civil servants, on the issue of food safety and food hygiene in each of the years 1989, 1990 and 1991.

Mr. Dorrell

Ministers and officials from the Department of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office have addressed a large number of conferences, seminars and other meetings to publicise the Food Safety Act 1990 to consumers, enforcement authorities and the food industry. A complete list could not be suppplied except at disproportionate cost.