Animal Foodstuffs Advisory Committee

HC Deb 07 December 1998 vol 322 cc105-6W

Ms Shipley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Advisory Committee on Animal Foodstuffs(a) was set up and (b) plans to meet. [61193]

Mr. Rooker

The Ministry has now completed an extensive consultation exercise on the remit of the Committee and sought nominations for its membership.

We are moving ahead as quickly as possible, whilst at the same time working to the Nolan principles. Accordingly, the selection and appointment of chairman and members will be based on merit, openness and equal opportunity. The Committee is likely to have its first meeting by the middle of next year, considerably in advance of the Food Standards Agency being established.