Opposition Day — [17th( )Allotted Day] — Horsemeat

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 2:00 pm on 12 February 2013.

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Photo of Owen Paterson Owen Paterson The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2:00, 12 February 2013

I am looking at the clock and must push on.

The criminal justice system in the UK and across Europe is taking this very seriously. We are ready to act in whatever way is justified by the emerging facts. I shall repeat myself, because it is important that Opposition Members understand this: overall, food safety is a European competence. Council regulation 178/2002 confirms that food operators have primary responsibility for food safety and quality. In the UK, under the system this Government inherited, the independent Food Standards Agency is the lead enforcement authority for food safety and authenticity.