Factory Farm Products

HC Deb 24 June 1964 vol 697 cc385-7

13. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that food grown by factory farm methods has its source designated for the benefit of the consumer by the retailer, in view of the fact that it is of inferior quality to that produced in the normal way.

Mr. Stodart

No, Sir. I know of no evidence to support the hon. Member's view that food produced by intensive methods is of inferior quality.

Mr. Rankin

In view of the hon. Gentleman's ignorance on the subject, would he pursue his inquiries a little more closely and deeply than evidently he has done? Is he aware that the practice of designating food supplies, both liquid and solid, as to source and quality is now widely followed by those who have no reason to fear any challenge to their products? Would he not approve of it and encourage it in these new methods of producing food which have now developed?

Mr. Stodart

It is true, as I think we discussed last night, that there are regulations under the Food and Drugs Act which give power to prescribe labelling to protect the public against buying food which is different from or inferior to what they want to buy, but there is no evidence, in the true meaning of the word, that this intensively produced food is inferior in quality.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister aware that while the regulations to which he refers protect the animal which is fed the commodities which are suspect, particularly in the case of arsenical compounds, there is no regulation known—if there is one perhaps the hon. Gentleman will quote it—which protects the consumer against the amount of the animal that he may eat carrying those dangerous products?

Mr. Stodart

Let me repeat that there is no evidence of food being inferior in quality.

Mr. Rankin

Then what is it?

Mr. Brewis

Is my hon. Friend aware of the considerable anxiety in all sections of the community, including the farming community, about factory farm methods, and would he see if any regulation could be made laying down conditions under which animals should be kept in these farms or factories?

Mr. Stodart

I shall certainly take note of that suggestion. It is a fact, of course, that a Committee is about to investigate the whole question of the condition under which animals are being kept under intensive methods, and this, I am quite sure, will be a subject of which it will take note.