A body representing staff in trading standards jobs has welcomed the new coalition government's proposals for the sector.
The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) said it was pleased to see policies which aim to provide greater protection to consumers, as well as encouraging more competition between businesses.
"We are pleased to see such policy statements as stronger consumer protection in financial matters, higher standards of farm animal welfare and a shared cost responsibility for dealing with outbreaks of disease," a TSI statement said.
It added that staff in trading standards jobs will also be pleased to see policies including tougher action on underage alcohol sales, low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.
Earlier this year, Ron Gainsford, chief executive of the TSI, warned that cutting budgets for trading standards teams would be a false economy as it would mean that major incidents such as the foot and mouth outbreak will become more likely.
