To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the United Kingdom Accreditation Service will be used by her Department for the accreditation of certification bodies acting in the organic food sector. [105492]

The Department will use UKAS for the accreditation or assessment of certifications bodies acting in the organic food sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support her Department has given to the Accreditation Awareness Campaign run by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. [105493]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 1 March 2001, Official Report, column 731W, by the Minister of Sate for Trade and Industry (Mr. Johnson), UKAS is the sole body recognised by the Government for the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies in the United Kingdom. Defra uses UKAS accreditation and assessment services whenever it is appropriate to do so Defra has drawn attention to the role of UKAS and its contribution to increasing confidence in the food supply chain by providing assurance of the competence of inspection bodies operating in the food sector. Defra has commissioned work from UKAS in the areas of organic farming, global atmosphere and research and development.