30 May 2003
The Food Standards Agency has come under fire from both environment minister Michael Meacher and consumer groups over the merits of organic and genetically modified food.
Heated exchanges have highlighted the tensions between ministers and semi-independent arms of government that do not come under their department.
Meacher wants agency support for organic food because he believes its increased use would offer health benefits and could boost farmers' income while cutting the food import bill.
The agency refused to answer Public Finance's questions, referring enquiries instead to a letter from its chair, Sir John Krebs, to the Guardian. This said that he runs 'an independent non-ministerial government department and I do not take instructions from ministers'.
The agency's role is to be an independent watchdog of food quality for consumers. It reports to Parliament through the Department of Health.
Krebs wrote: 'Organic food is an important addition to consumer choice, but no independent scientific evaluation has ever shown that it is any healthier.'
A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: 'Mr Meacher has contacted Sir John and said he would appreciate a more constructive dialogue on organics, especially in terms of Sir John's reluctance to favour organics over non-organics on the grounds that there are no demonstrable health benefits.
'Mr Meacher believes there are other environmental and social benefits in local sourcing of food.'
But Krebs' letter insisted there was no scientific evidence to suggest that organic food was healthier than that produced conventionally, and that his remit does not cover agricultural production or environmental issues.
Liberal Democrat food and rural affairs spokesman Andrew George said Krebs' response 'appears strangely minimal and grudging to the point of being irresponsibly unhelpful and partisan'.
Nine organisations, including Unison and Greenpeace, this week accused the FSA of bias in favour of genetically modified food. They said there was 'a wide consensus of opinion among consumer and citizen groups that the FSA is not representing consumers and is adopting a pro-GM position'.
PFmay2003
