§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the proposed measures in the EU White Paper on food safety in the EU will be opposed by Her Majesty's Government. [120209]
§ Ms StuartThe Government believe that consumer concerns and the complexity of current arrangements demand urgent action to develop a coherent European Union policy for the foodstuffs sector based firmly on the fundamental importance of consumer protection. We welcome the White Paper and share the objective it outlines.
We look forward to more detailed proposals on which discussion can take place once individual measures are brought forward.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what amendment of the law he plans to comply with the programme outlined in the EU White Paper on food safety. [120187]
§ Ms StuartThe proposed legislative programme contains many individual initiatives which the Government have been pressing for and some have been expected for some time. In a number of cases the legislation proposed is amending existing legislation. We await individual, more detailed, proposals to be brought forward by the European Commission.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the additional costs to(a) the British food industry and (b) farmers of the proposals set out in the EU' s White Paper on food safety. [120208]
§ Ms StuartNone. The Commission has consulted widely on the White Paper and the Food Standards Agency has discussed various issues with key organisations, including those representing farmers and the food industry. They have been encouraged to respond direct to the Commission.
177WOnce individual proposals have been produced all interested stakeholders will be consulted. The United Kingdom will be pressing for proportionality, bearing in mind the need to safeguard the interests of the consumer.