§ 5. Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to ensure that imported animal products for human consumption are produced from stock to whose diets antibiotic supplements have not been added.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesWe are at present finding out what antibiotics, if any, are being used by countries which export animal products to us. In the light of this information we shall decide what further action is necessary.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI am glad that this work has been done. While welcoming the report of the Swann Committee, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to undertake that once he has completed this survey he will make sure that in any recommendations that are made there is fair and equitable competition between home producers and imported food?
§ Mr. HughesI appreciate the point made by the hon. Gentleman. It is one which is very much in my mind. It is, however, rather unfair to make any charges against imported supplies until we know precisely what the position is, and that is what we are in the process of finding out.