The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is charged with protecting consumer interests in relation to food safety and standards. Most importantly, the Agency is entitled to make public the advice that it gives to Government ministers. This means that the Agency can be seen to act openly and independently in looking after the interests of consumers. The FSA provides advice and information to the public and Government on food safety from farm to fork, nutrition and diet. And it supports consumer choice by promoting accurate and meaningful labelling. The Agency works with many different people and organisations, including consumers, consumer organisations, manufacturers, retailers, farmers, local authority enforcement teams and the catering industry. The FSA also works with other Government departments and agencies. The Agency also obtains independent expert advice from its scientific advisory committees and commissions research to support its functions. The Agency represents the UK government on food safety and standards issues in the European Union. By helping to develop a framework of well-founded and effective European food law, the Agency will be able to secure a sound basis for its activities as a food authority. Its role representing the UK also enables the Agency to share knowledge and expertise with other Member States. It is vital for the Agency to engage positively at European level to assist its objective to protect public health and the interests of UK consumers in relation to food. In 2003 the budget of FSA is approximately 150 million € of which about 40 million is committed to its research portfolio.