asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many primary food producers are members of the board of the Food Standards Agency; how many vacancies there are on the board; and whether it is intended that any of these vacancies should be filled by primary food producers.[HL7811]

The Food Standards Agency is currently seeking a new deputy chair and two new board members, one of whom will be appointed by the National Assembly for Wales. There is a statutory requirement that the appointing authorities should have regard to the desirability of securing a variety of skills and experience among members of the board, including experience in matters related to food safety or other interests of consumers in relation to food. Board members are appointed to act collectively in the public interest, not to represent a particular industry or sector. Neither the current chair nor deputy chair, and none of the current board members, are primary food producers.