Written question asked by David Lepper (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 July 2008. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 July 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Food Standards Agency: Public Appointments

Question: (2) how many and what proportion of the members of the board of the Food Standards Agency have a (a) current and (b) recent commercial interest in bodies regulated by the agency.

Answer: The commitment given was that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) would be ““tough and independent””. This is fulfilled by the Food Standards Act 1999 which set up the FSA and by the code of conduct governing the conduct of its board members. The Act requires, and the capability of the agency's board depends upon, the independence and a wide range of skills and experience of members, who together act in the public interest without regard for their own financial or other interests which could prejudice the exercise of their duties. The balance of skills and experience of the whole board is reviewed at the time of each new appointment to ensure that appropriate independence of the board is maintained.Details of board members' interests and their broad biographical backgrounds are published by the agency on its website and updated quarterly at"http://www.food.gov.uk/aboutus/ourboard/boardmem/."However information about previous interests is not recorded when no longer held. The current register of interests of board members is published as a Standing Order paper with the papers for all the agency's open board meetings and these are also published on the website. Where relevant to the topic, those interests are also declared in advance of discussion at all board meetings. The process of appointment of members also ensures that potential conflicts of interest are thoroughly explored.

Secondary information