Food Standards Agency
Food Standards Agency
The Bill to establish the Food Standards Agency received Royal Assent in November 1999. The Agency will be a new UK body taking a stategic view of food safety and standards across the whole food chain accountable through Health Ministers. Nick Brown, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that the passage of the Food Standards Act marks a period of successful co-operation between MAFF and the Department of Health in the interests of the consumer and of public health and in setting new standards for openness and transparency. The proposals to set up a Food Standards Agency have been the subject of extensive consultation starting in May 1997. The FSA will be a UK body accountable to Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly. It will operate at arm's length from Ministers under the day to day responsibility of a Chairman, deputy Chairman and members. The Agency is likely to become operational in Spring 2000.
