§ 20. Mr. Geoffrey Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will undertake an inquiry into the use of antibiotics in the rearing of livestock, in view of the increase in drug-resistance in organisms commonly causing animal and human infection.
§ Mr. CroslandThis subject is being considered in the first instance by the Joint Committee of the Agricultural Research Council and Medical Research Council on Antibiotics in Animal Feeding, acting through its Scientific Sub-Committee. Its views are not yet available.
§ Sir G. NicholsonWhen are the views of this Committee to be available? Is it not a fact that most of these inquiries are proceeding in a very leisurely fashion? Is it not a fact that there is some urgency, because there is substantial evidence to show that antibiotics in agriculture are seriously affecting human beings?
§ Mr. CroslandAs the hon. Member knows, we had a Report from this Committee in 1962, which means that we have had one in the last three years. I understand that we are unlikely to receive advice based on the present Report before the end of this year, but I believe that part of the reason for this is that new evidence has recently come to light which the Committee wishes to consider.