HC Deb 29 June 1989 vol 155 cc1101-2
12. Dr. Moonie

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of research into microbiological contamination of food.

Mr. MacGregor

My Department is firmly committed to providing support for food safety research, on which substantial resources are already being spent. For example, I announced earlier this year that my Department plans to spend £1 million annually on new research on salmonella in poultry and £4.5 million over the next five years on a new strategic research initiative designed to predict the growth of food poisoning organisms in a wide variety of food environments and processes.

Dr. Moonie

What specific steps will the Minister take to monitor the possible adverse effects of the continuing consumption of raw milk?

Mr. MacGregor

Where any cases of food poisoning arise from that source, as from any other, we have the evidence put to us and we shall be monitoring it.