Food standards body for Scotland

The move follows the recommendations of the Scudamore review, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government as a result of the UK Government's decision to move responsibility for nutrition and food labelling in England from the Food Standards Agency to the Department of Health and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2010.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said:

“The changes in England removed significant capacity in the FSA’s nutrition and labelling functions for Scotland and needed to be addressed. I thank Professor Jim Scudamore and his colleagues for their months of work to develop this comprehensive report which we have been considering since publication in April.

“We have accepted all their recommendations. A new body will allow a Scottish approach to be taken to tackle poor diet and food-borne diseases and should support our food and drink industry in growing its strong, international reputation for safe, quality food.

“The new body will be at arms-length from the Scottish Government.  The body will encompass nutrition and labelling policy, and meat inspection policy and operational delivery, in addition to food safety and standards.  We will establish a new body which is independent, evidence-based, consumer-focussed and transparent.

“Creating a new Scottish Food Standards body will require primary legislation, and we plan to consult on options before end of this year.”

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“I welcome the decision to transfer operational control of meat inspection delivery to the FSA in Scotland as soon as possible, which we hope will deliver a more cost-effective service and further enhance our strong reputation for quality and hygiene.

“I am keen to explore how quickly this could be achieved. Legislation would not be needed so I would expect to transfer meat inspection, after discussions with the industry and the Food Standards Agency, before the new body is established.”