Written question asked by Owen Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 November 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 November 2011. It was answered by James Paice (Conservative) on Monday, 14 November 2011 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Food: Prices

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on food prices support for British food manufacturing.

Answer: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), has had discussions with BIS in the normal course of business as part of the Government's growth review, and we continue to work with BIS and UKTI to help boost growth in the food sector. The Secretary of State has also recently chaired a round table with a wide range of food industry stakeholders to look at how the Government can help the food and drink sector to grow. Additionally, we continue to work, in the UK and internationally, to promote open global markets, boost trade and ensure a growing population is fed in a way that reduces environmental impacts and supports an environmentally sustainable food sector. The impact of rising food prices are a concern for the Government. While it is not the Government's role to control, or intervene in support of food prices, we know that export bans, stock levels, energy prices and damaged harvests do affect prices, so these are things the Government are keen to address.

Secondary information