§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about proposals to increase the number of inspectors at the European Union's Food and Veterinary Office. [120364]
§ Ms StuartThe annual report of the European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) for 1999 gave no indication that there are further proposals to increase the number of its inspectors. It did, however, report that during 1998 and 1999 the number of its inspectors had more than doubled to 87. This was as a result of the FVO's increased responsibilities, in both member states and third countries exporting to member states, for the protection of consumer health.