Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what engagement has he had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to date on its agri-food strategy.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: My officials are represented at Defra led meetings to develop a high-level outcomes framework for the UK food system. The approach will consider the food system as a whole, while recognising that large parts of food policy are devolved.
Initial meetings have taken place of a DEFRA led Senior Officials Group which brings together senior officials from departments with an interest in food policy and a Food Strategy Advisory Board made up of senior leaders from across the UK food system.
Progress on the development of the food strategy is also discussed as an agenda item at the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which I attend.
ENDS
Your MLA 