HC Deb 17 November 2003 vol 413 cc631-2W
Gregory Barker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government is taking to ensure that consumer interests are represented on food advisory groups. [137257]

Miss Melanie Johnson

I have been asked to reply.

The expert committees and working parties that advise the Food Standards Agency (FSA), including those committees which also advise the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and/or the Department of Health, all have at least one consumer representative member. The FSA regularly holds meetings with consumer groups to discuss and explain food policy issues and consumer groups are always included in FSA consultations.