Food Standards Agency

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts

Wednesday 10th June 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

The noble Countess is indeed right. In fact, I had a few sheep and used to take them to a private abattoir. This is exactly what the discount proposals will allow for. They will allow the smaller abattoirs consistently to benefit from the highest levels of discount.

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness is speaking for the Department of Health because ultimately it oversees the Food Standards Agency. Can we come back to the question asked by the noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley? Ultimately, this is a question of public confidence in the food chain. Why have the Government cut, in-year, £200 million of the public health budget given to local authorities? Will that not impact on public education programmes on food and obesity? What is the Minister going to do about that?

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

I thank the noble Lord for his question—I think. I will get back to him with a full written reply.