New chair appointed at FSA

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has appointed Lord Rooker as its new Chair.

Lord Rooker, a former Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), replaces the outgoing Chair Dame Deirdre Hutton and will take up his new duties on 27 July.

Tim Smith, chief executive of the FSA, welcomed the appointment: 'I am delighted that Lord Rooker will be joining us in this role and personally I very much look forward to working with him. His political experience and understanding of food issues make him an excellent choice for this challenging position.

"He brings with him a wealth of expertise that will help us continue the good work overseen by Dame Deirdre on behalf of consumers in achieving our twin objectives of safe food and healthy eating for all."

The newly appointed chair said he is very pleased with his new position: "I believe it is vital we have an independent, non-ministerial department responsible for food safety, which is open and transparent. I am very excited about my new role and look forward to joining the Agency, which bases its work on sound science and puts the interests of consumers first."