§ 45. Mrs. Braddockasked the Minister of Health what protection is given to consumers by his regulations in relation to the sale of prepacked cat and dog meat which is not marked unfit for human consumption.
§ Miss PittI would refer the hon. Lady to my hon. Friend's reply to Question No. 9 on today's Order Paper.
§ Mrs. BraddockAs the Health Departments have a different responsibility from that of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that it is a matter of very serious concern that meat comes into this country from abroad which is definitely unfit for human consumption, that no steps are taken to stain it and show that it is unfit for human consumption, that it goes to factories and is prepacked, and that no statement is put on the tin to the effect that the food is made from meat which is unfit for human consumption? Does not the hon. Lady think that the Department should look into the matter again with a view to seeing what action can be taken to remedy this?
§ Miss PittThis meat is sterilised, and that means that it does not constitute a hazard to health. Obviously, much of it is either meat from the knacker's yard or meat from the slaughterhouse condemned as unfit for human consumption. In view of this, it was obviously never intended for human consumption. My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider drawing attention to this fact in the health notes which the Department issues from time to time.