THE CHAIR of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Sir John Krebs, has informed the agency‘s board of his resignation.

Sir John is to take up the post of Principal of Jesus College Oxford in October 2005. He will remain as FSA chair until April 2005. 

Commenting on Sir John‘s resignation, the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Tony Blair, paid tribute to Sir John.

“He established the Food Standards Agency in the wake of the food crises that dogged this country through the 1990s.

“He has been robust in ensuring that the Agency bases its advice on sound science and in ensuring that it promotes the interests of consumers,” Mr Blair said..

Sir John Krebs was the architect of the randomised badger-culling trials in England.

He was first appointed as chair of the newly-created FSA on January 24, 2000, for an initial term of four years and was reappointed for a further term in January 2004.

Sir John‘s successor will be appointed by Health Ministers following a selection procedure in accordance with the Nolan principles, overseen by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.