§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 211, if he will list all the environmental, consumer and animal welfare organisations he (a) has consulted and (b) intends to consult about his deregulation initiative; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerSince February 1992 I have been seeking the views of interested organisations on measures that impose a burden on businesses in the food and agriculture sectors. This process has culminated, as I announced on 2 February in my decision to prepare deregulation plans for each sector of my Department responsible for regulatory activity. A deregulation plan for the area of food law was published by my Department on 24 February 1993. It was sent to 240 organisations, including consumer bodies, for comment. A copy of the list of organisations has been placed in the Library of the House. I hope that any organisation inadvertently not approached will feel free to comment; I want to know the views of all groups with an interest. Deregulation plans for other key areas of my Department's work, including the areas of the environment and animal welfare, are to be completed very shortly. A decision will be taken then about arrangements for consultation.