Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government plans to negotiate associate membership of the European Food Safety Authority for when the UK leaves the EU.

As my Rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in her speech at Mansion House, we are exploring the terms on which we could remain part of European Union agencies for sectors where close collaboration is critical.

We are considering a range of options for the future of risk assessment and scientific advice in the United Kingdom. After the UK has left the EU our priority will be to maintain the UK’s high standards of food and feed safety.

The UK has a long tradition of close scientific collaboration with European Food Safety Authority which we greatly value and hope to continue in the future.