Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of exempting fully vaccinated staff involved in food safety testing from covid-19 self-isolation requirements.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) view inspection staff such as Veterinary, Meat Hygiene Inspectors and Plant Inspection Assistants as critical to maintaining the integrity and smooth running of the food chain. Inspection staff have been included in the new scheme in England where, following advice, they may be able to leave self-isolation to attend work. We will participate in the controls and checks put in place to allow this scheme to run and maintain the food supply chain.