§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what responsibility his Department has for enforcement of food safety pending the establishment of the Food Standards Agency. [106066]
§ Ms QuinMost food law enforcement is carried out by local authorities, and will continue to be after the Food Standards Agency is established. MAFF is responsible for the enforcement in England and Wales of fresh meat legislation. This is carried out in licensed premises by the Meat Hygiene Service, an executive agency of MAFF that will transfer to the Food Standards Agency. MAFF also enforces dairy hygiene controls at production holdings in England and Wales, and responsibility for this will also transfer to the Agency. MAFF's ongoing responsibilities after the establishment of the Food Standards Agency will continue to include the enforcement of some functions relevant to food safety, in particular on residues of pesticides and veterinary medicines and on animal health, in addition to some enforced by local authorities.