Food and Agriculture

Food

We aim to ensure that:

• all food businesses are registered.
• food is correctly labelled and described and meets quality standards. (Trading Standards)
• manufacturers and retailers of food are regularly inspected.
• restaurants and other food premises meet strict hygiene standards.
• food is safe to eat.

Animal Health and Agriculture

We aim to ensure that:

• disease controls are complied with.
• farm animal welfare standards are met.
• animal feed and fertilisers are of a satisfactory quality and safe for use.
• contingency plans for Foot and Mouth, rabies, anthrax and other diseases are in place.

Further information can be obtained from the following websites. Alternatively, contact Trading Standards Officers.

• Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) Provides full text of Acts of Parliament from 1988, plus access to Inforoute, the Government's Information Asset Register.
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Defra works for the essentials of life - water, food, air, land, people, animals and plants
• Trading Standards Central A one stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK. Provides information for businesses and consumers.
• HM Customs and Excise Provides information and advice for the public and for businesses.
• Office of Fair Trading (OFT) The OFT is designed with two purposes: to protect consumers and explain their rights; and to ensure that businesses compete and operate fairly.
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Working with businesses, employees and consumers to drive up UK productivity and competitiveness to deliver prosperity for all.
• Food Standards Agency (FSA) An independent food safety watchdog set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food.