PLANS to charge food traders and manufacturers to fund a new health agency have been backed by councillors.

Hyndburn's environmental services committee welcomed government proposals in the draft Food Standards Agency Bill to levy food retailers to pay for its work.

The charge is likely to be set at an initial rate of £90 a year for individual premises and would be collected by local authorities. But some members expressed concern that traditional corner shops would be charged the same rate as supermarkets.

A report to members stated the independent Food Standards Agency would cover all food matters 'from plough to plate.' The aim is to introduce new health safeguards for consumers and enforce related measures such as food labelling. The agency would also issue advice, food hazard warnings and promote education among consumers and in the industry. Councillors were asked to back a response from town hall bosses to ensure manufacturers and processors would be charged alongside retailers.

Steve Todd, head of environmental health, said: "The agency will be independent and should be an improvement.

"But our response is that any charge should be imposed on all food businesses, manufacturers and processors, not just retailers."

Councillor David Massey said: "It seems unfair that a corner shop should pay £90 and a supermarket pays the same. I would like to see major retailers paying a lot more."

Council leader George Slynn called on the committee to press Hyndburn MP Greg Pope to take up the issue with Government food chiefs.

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