The UK’s Secretary of State for Health has appointed former food minister Lord Rooker as the new chair of the country’s food safety watchdog.

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Announcing the appointment, Health Secretary Andy Burnham said Lord Rooker would bring “considerable experience” to his new role as chair of the Food Standards Agency.


Lord Rooker is a former Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). During his parliamentary career, Lord Rooker also served as a minister of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.


He replaces the outgoing chair Dame Deirdre Hutton and will take up his new duties on 27 July.


Commenting on the news, FSA chief executive Tim Smith said Lord Rooker’s “political experience and understanding of food issues” make him an “excellent choice” to fill the roll.

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“I believe it is vital we have an independent, non-ministerial department responsible for food safety, which is open and transparent,” Lord Rooker said.

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