§ 9. Mrs. Braddockasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had with the Minis- 908 ter of Health with regard to his joint responsibility for regulations governing the marketing of prepacked cat and dog meat as unfit for human consumption, in view of the fact that the staining of unfit meat is not compulsory.
Mr. VaneAs canned meat for dogs and cats is clearly not intended for human consumption and is sterilised in the process of canning, my right hon. Friend, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, do not consider that any other safeguards are necessary.
§ Mrs. BraddockIn view of the fact that this prepacked meat is now sold in ordinary grocers' shops and is well displayed along with other canned meat, should not something be done to mark upon the tin the fact that the meat is unfit for human consumption?
Mr. VaneI would have thought that the descriptions on these tins of meat, and the pictures of cats and dogs which are normally on them, would be sufficient warning to purchasers of what the contents were intended for. Secondly, under the Food and Drugs Act, which is concerned with the labelling of food for human consumption, my right hon. Friend has no power to require the kind of extra inscription which the hon. Lady has in mind.
§ Mrs. BraddockThis is a very serious matter. I do not know whether the Minister realises what is happening. If there are no powers to deal with the matter, will he go fully into the question with the Ministry of Health to see whether it would be advisable to take some legal action to ensure that these tins are clearly marked "Unfit for Human Consumption"?
Mr. VaneI realise that this could be a serious problem. There is no accounting for tastes, as is shown by the fact that, although we stain methylated spirits with a colour in order that everybody can recognise it, there are still a few people who try to drink it.