I WRITE in reply to Ruth Kelly's article of January 28, on the setting up of the Food Standards Agency.

Although I welcome the forming of such an agency, I believe the funding of this agency is unfair. This will involve the charging of a flat rate tax of £90 to every food premises.

Can I ask Ruth Kelly how can it be fair that a small corner shop must pay the same as a large supermarket? Is this not just another Poll Tax to which her party was so opposed to in the past?

Mr Stuart Lever

The Prospective Conservative Candidate

For Astley Bridge Ward

Ivy Bank Close, Sharples

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