WIREDGOV

The Food Standards Agency welcomes the Government's announcement to establish the Food and Drink Sector Council and the opportunity to engage more closely with the leadership of the whole sector to achieve better regulation for the 21st century.

The Council will be a new partnership between government and the whole food chain, working with industry leaders from agriculture, food and drink manufacturing, retail, hospitality and logistics. It is part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy which was published this week. 

The FSA Chairman Heather Hancock said: ‘We are already working to modernise the way we regulate all food businesses, which will ensure we have a system that is robust, sustainable and fit for the 21st century. This programme of work, Regulating Our Future, is engaging with businesses and local authorities to ensure the new model for regulation will continue to protect consumers while reducing the burden on businesses that are doing the right thing.

'We look forward to working with the new Council to deliver these reforms, in the interests of consumers here, and reinforcing our reputation for safe, trustworthy food in international markets.’

About the sector council

The Industrial Strategy White Paper, which can be found on GOV.UK via the link on this page, states that the new Food and Drink Sector Council will lead the work to secure the UK’s position as a global leader in sustainable, affordable, safe and high-quality food and drink.

The strategy also says an early task for the council will be to build on emerging proposals for a sector deal in food and drink manufacturing, including support to transform exports and capitalise on its unique innovation opportunities in sustainable agriculture and food manufacturing.

The Industrial Strategy is the Government’s long-term vision to boost the economy, build on the country's strengths and embrace the opportunities of technological change.