Labour wants new food safety appointment

Labour has called for a food safety supremo to oversee beef quality from farm to dinner table.

The measure is part of a ten-point plan unveiled by the party, which also includes banning German meat imports because of the country's meat production practices.

The plan would see the Department of Agriculture to hand over some control of public information on BSE to the Departments of Health and the Environment.

Labour food safety spokesperson Mary Upton said the appointment of such a supremo is the only way to co-ordinate the responsibilities of the three departments.