We understand that the US does not currently have a direct equivalent to the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which covers hazards to people in the workplace, has adopted the United Nations Globally Harmonised System for classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS), which the CLP is modelled on. However, US Administrations that cover environment and consumer issues have not yet adopted the GHS. During the EU-US Free-Trade Agreement negotiations (TTIP), we will continue to support the EU’s objective to promote alignment in classification and labelling of chemicals in accordance with the GHS and will continue to press for an ambitious EU-US Free-Trade Agreement.

My Department has held no discussions with small business representatives about support for meeting the costs of complying with this regulation.

No specific assessment has been made of the effect of the directly-acting EU Single Market regulation 1272/2008 (CLP) on small scale manufacturers of candles and other scented goods or on the competitive position of EU-based scented oil manufacturers. However, in 2007, the Health and Safety Executive carried out an initial regulatory impact assessment of the overall costs and benefits from the implementation of CLP.

No specific assessment has been made of the effect of the directly-acting EU Single Market regulation 1272/2008 (CLP) on small scale manufacturers of candles and other scented goods or on the competitive position of EU-based scented oil manufacturers. However, in 2007, the Health and Safety Executive carried out an initial regulatory impact assessment of the overall costs and benefits from the implementation of CLP.

There is no specific funding available to assist companies to meet their legal obligations in complying with this regulation.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (the CLP Regulation) is a single market measure that acts directly in all European Union (EU) Member States. Supporting guidance is provided at EU level by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), in partnership with Member States. The guidance is routinely reviewed to ensure it reflects practical compliance experience and continues to support chemical suppliers both small and large.

The CLP regulation requires every Member State to establish a national CLP Helpdesk to provide compliance advice. The HSE acts as the UK CLP competent authority and, as part of this function, has provided the Helpdesk since 2009. It provides a suite of webpages that introduce the key duties in CLP, and steer visitors to the ECHA guidance. Additionally, the HSE will consider the feasibility of developing an on-line tool to help small businesses comply with the regulation.

There are currently no plans to alter the statutory genetic modified (GM) labelling requirements as set out in the ‘GM food and feed regulation (EC) No 1829/2003’. However, the Commission is currently considering whether to harmonise national voluntary ‘GM-Free’ schemes that exist in several European Union member states.

We understand from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that after consideration of all emerging evidence, the beneficial ownership of the network of companies associated with the ABP Food Group and their relationship with Larry Goodman was not deemed to fall under the scope of the FSA investigations.

It was not within the remit of the FSA investigations to consider any other alleged frauds involving Larry Goodman that have been investigated in the past.

The FSA led a number of investigations into the contamination of beef products with horse and pig DNA. Inquiries were made by local authorities into ABP owned businesses as part of these investigations and there was no evidence to suggest that there were any illegal activities to pursue.

The FSA is aware of one investigation being conducted by a local authority in Northern Ireland which involves the fraudulent mis-labelling of meat. This is a live investigation being conducted under police warrant, and the FSA cannot provide any further information at this point so as not to prejudice that investigation and any potential legal action that may flow from it. There is no association between this investigation and the ABP Food Group or Larry Goodman.

Prosecutions for the mislabelling of meat products fall within the remit of local authority (LA) environmental health or trading standards departments.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the police, working with their counterparts across Europe, are involved in a complicated and far-reaching investigation into horsemeat. At this stage, it cannot be confirmed if prosecutions will result from this ongoing action. The FSA will be in contact with those LAs known to be involved in investigation work to find out what further steps they will take on the evidence gathered.

Prosecutions for the mislabelling of meat products fall within the remit of local authority environmental health or trading standards departments.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the police, working with their counterparts across Europe, are involved in a complicated and far-reaching investigation into horsemeat. At this stage, it cannot be confirmed if prosecutions will result from this ongoing action. The FSA will be in contact with those local authorities known to be involved in investigation work to find out what further steps they will take on the evidence gathered.

The FSA collects enforcement activity data from local authorities annually, including details of the number of prosecutions completed. However, the data provided to the FSA does not go into the level of detail requested. This would be available only from the individual local authorities concerned.

There were 191 full responses to this year's consultation on Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling, which ran from 14 May until 6 August. Of these, eight responses were from the dairy and cheese industry. The formal response to the consultation is due to be published shortly.

Ministers and officials will continue to engage with representatives from the food industry and other interested parties on the detail, of future United Kingdom front of pack nutritional labelling.

Under the EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, front of pack nutrition labelling by businesses is voluntary. On 24 October, the United Kingdom Governments announced a proposed approach to front of pack nutrition labelling based on percentage guideline daily amount and colour coding. Colours clearly indicate foods that

are high in salt fat and sugars and percentage guideline daily amounts give further information on the amount a given portion contributes to the diet.

The UK Governments will continue to work with partner organisations on the detail of the scheme to build as wide a consensus as possible across the food industry.

Under the EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, front of pack nutrition labelling by businesses is voluntary. On 24 October, the United Kingdom Governments announced a proposed approach to front of pack nutrition labelling based on percentage guideline daily amount and colour coding. Colours clearly indicate foods that

are high in salt fat and sugars and percentage guideline daily amounts give further information on the amount a given portion contributes to the diet.

The UK Governments will continue to work with partner organisations on the detail of the scheme to build as wide a consensus as possible across the food industry.

The food labelling consultation closed in August. Could the Minister indicate when the Government response is likely to be issued and confirm that the Government will not bring in unnecessary burdens on the food industry over and above those set out in European regulation?

Through the public health responsibility seal over 415 public health, voluntary, public sector and commercial organisations have signed up to play their part in improving the public's health by helping people to adopt a healthier diet, foster a culture of responsible drinking, increasing physical activity levels and improving the health of their staff. The responsibility deal will continue to play an important part in delivering these ambitions.