Issued by: Edward Davey MP Commons victory for local MP on Nut Allergies Davey wins major new ministerial commitment to protect nut allergy sufferers Speaking in a special Commons debate he had won from Madam Speaker on "Nut Allergies and Labelling" last week, local MP, Edward Davey, called for the Government to work with the catering industry on a new Code of Practice. He wants this action to reduce the threat of accidental poisoning of nut allergy sufferers. In reply to the debate, the Food Safety Minister, Jeff Rooker, accepted Mr.Davey’s arguments, and promised action to bring greater protection for nut allergy sufferers. Commenting after the debate, Mr.Davey said: "I was absolutely delighted by the Minister’s swift and positive response. He accepted my arguments and committed himself to driving forward my proposals for a new and enforceable Code of Practice. "This news will be widely welcomed by those suffering from nut allergies, and will help the catering industry to guarantee the safety of their food for all their customers. "After recent tragic deaths of people from allergic reactions to food containing nuts, the minister’s constructive response to my debate should lead to a significant improvement in safety." Highlights from the Commons debate Edward Davey : My attention was first brought to this issue by a constituent, Mrs. Heather Forrester. Her son James has a peanut allergy, and it was due to his story and his mother's concerns about the inadequacies of the current labelling regime that I requested this debate. However, in the short time since this debate was granted, we have witnessed yet another tragedy--the death of the young athlete, Ross Baillie. … The first and most important issue involves the catering industry--restaurants, cafes and take-aways. At the moment, unpackaged food, most of which is sold by the catering industry, is completely unregulated……How could a code of practice work? I think that the Government should issue strict rules, under food standards and safety laws. Such a code of practice could cover all severe allergies, not just allergies to nuts. The rules could cover menu information, good practice in the kitchen and staff training. The code of practice could include information about how caterers could find out whether their raw materials contained allergens. I should be grateful if the Minister said whether he was prepared to consider introducing such a code of practice; but can he at least assure me that he will begin consultations with the catering industry? Jeff Rooker: Bearing in mind that this is only a short debate, let me take the unusual step of giving the hon.Gentleman my conclusions before putting some details on the record. I agree with everything he said. There is scope for industry to do more, and I am certainly prepared to consider going beyond guidelines and producing a code of practice. …… I take seriously everything that he said about the fact that, with the agreement of the catering industry, we have managed to introduce practical legislation for catering on genetically modified organisms. It will come into force on 19 September, following a couple of rounds of consultation last year and early this year. In my view, if we can legislate for GMOs, we ought to be able to do so for nuts, too. I am not threatening or promising legislation. If it is practical for the industry to inform customers and to train manufacturers to know what ingredients they are using in respect of GMOs, it should be possible in respect of nuts.
Issued by: Edward Davey MP Kingston gains first Lib Dem voice in Europe London elects first Liberal Democrat MEP Commenting on the results
of the European elections, Edward Davey, Member of
Parliament for Kingston and Surbiton, said:
Issued by: Edward Davey MP "We can’t let Alfriston down!" – Davey MP calls for a new group to "look at every option" to improve services for elderly As the Alfriston saga looked set to drag on, unresolved this week, Kingston and Surbiton MP, Edward Davey, re-entered the fray with a call to everyone involved to work together and not "let Alfriston down". With a number of possible options yet to be properly explored, Mr. Davey called on the Council to show leadership and make sure no stone was left unturned in the search for a workable solution. He said: "I am concerned that the Council is not fighting hard enough to find the imaginative solution this will need. "I have complete faith that all involved are committed to better care for our elderly – be they councillors, council officers, Age Concern or the Alfriston committee. But the upshot of a great deal of hard work – mostly by volunteers – is disagreement and confusion. "Very able, dedicated people have not, in my view, yet produced a satisfactory solution – either for the immediate future of Alfriston or for enhanced day care centre facilities in the south of the Borough. "It’s not just money. We need more leadership from the Council - and more ambition and imagination for our elderly citizens. "Having listened to all the debate, there are two things it is clear we must do for the Borough’s senior citizens: first, improve the provision of day care centres, especially in Chessington; and second, develop new elderly services, such as more home visiting for the most vulnerable and fragile, just as Age Concern propose. "If that is acknowledged perhaps everyone can come together, and work out new alternatives, not just for this year, but for the longer term. I know it means yet more work, but surely we owe it to our senior citizens to have another go – with a new group, formed from all the people involved so far. "Why can’t Kaleidoscope
manage Alfriston, at least in the short term, working
with advice from Age Concern? Why can’t we then look
at developing future services for Surbiton’s
elderly? Why can’t we ask the designers of the
proposed new medical centre on the old Computer site on
the Leatherhead Road to look at a multi-purpose building,
capable of doubling up as a day care centre for elderly?
We can’t let Alfriston down – and we would be
doing if we didn’t look at every option." Home | How to contact me | Advice sessions | Parliament | Constituency | Liberal Democrats |
