Food: EU Law
Question
Ms Stella Creasy
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, whether she plans to (a) retain, (b) replace or (c) reproduce regulations relating to (i) food hygiene, (ii) food labelling and (iii) food marketing.
Answer
In reviewing retained EU law (REUL), HM Government’s aim is to ensure that food law is fit for purpose and the UK regulatory framework is appropriate and tailored to the needs of UK consumers and business. The UK has world leading standards on food marketing, food safety and quality, backed by a rigorous legislative framework but it is only right that we should evaluate REUL to ensure it continues to meet our needs. While this is an opportunity for review, maintaining the UK’s high food standards remains our priority. HM Government remains committed to delivering informative food labelling and promoting robust food standards nationally and internationally, to protect consumer interests, facilitate international trade, and ensure that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy.
As the Department responsible for food hygiene, the Food Standards Agency (working with Food Standards Scotland) is participating in the review of all retained EU law within its responsibilities. Neither consumer safety nor the ability of business to trade during this review will be compromised.