§ 20. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he intends to take following representations by the Veterinary Products Committee in relation to injectable oestrogens in veal production; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerFollowing the advice of the Veterinary Products Committee and 1465 after consulting interested organisations, my right hon. Friends concerned with health matters are about to make regulations under Part H of the Therapeutic Substances Act 1956 to prohibit the retail sale and supply of liquid injectable preparations of stilboestrol, hexoestrol and dienoestrol except by a qualified medical, dental or veterinary surgeon or practitioner, or by a pharmacist acting in accordance with a prescription given by such surgeon or practitioner.
§ Mrs. ButlerI welcome the news that action is to be taken. Will it be possible to enlighten the public about the health dangers arising from these liquid injections by publishing the reasons for the advisory committee's concern? Will the hon. Lady say whether the regulations will cover hormone pellets and hormone additives to feedingstuffs, and whether this will extend to all food animals as well as to calves?
§ Mrs. FennerI should like notice of the second part of the hon. Lady's question, so that I can give her a full reply. I can assure her that the Veterinary Products Committee recommends that further consideration should be given to all those other products as other information becomes available. The matter will be kept under continuous review.
§ Dr. StuttafordWhat steps does my hon. Friend intend to take to prevent the importation of beef raised in Ireland, which does not have the same restrictions on veterinary products and may continue to use oestrogens and antibiotics indiscriminately and dangerously?
§ Mrs. FennerI shall write to my hon. Friend on that subject.