§ 48. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to ensure that consignments of liver infected with echinococcus cyst, reaching this country from New Zealand in bags indicating that the contents are not for human consumption, but for animal feeding only, are sterilised before being sold to the public for animal food.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)My Ministry is in touch with the New Zealand authorities. Meanwhile, my right hon. Friend is urgently considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health, whether regulations dealing with the import of meat intended for animal feeding are desirable.
§ Mr. RussellI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Will he bear in mind that there is a good deal of public anxiety over this matter and that apparently this disease, when caught by dogs and cats, can be passed on to other animals and even to human beings?
§ Mr. GodberI entirely agree with my hon. Friend, and we are urgently considering that aspect of the matter.