HL Deb 17 February 1976 vol 368 cc351-2

2.43 p.m.

Lord MOTTISTONE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why they are giving support to the proposed EEC Directive on a maximum level of erucic acid in foodstuffs when current research by the EEC Scientific Committee on Food has not been completed.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the EEC Scientific Committee for Food, while recommending in November 1974 that further research on erucic acid was necessary, also recommended that, in the present state of knowledge, it would be prudent to give preference in food to rapeseed oils with low levels of this acid. The proposed Directive is intended to give effect to this recommendation.

Lord MOTTISTONE

My Lords, in view of the fact that erucic acid—which, I believe, is more commonly known as rapeseed oil—has been a substance in food for 200 years, particularly in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, that the Department of Health and Social Security see no immediate needs for this, and that the Committee admits that the scientific investigation is only half complete, would the Minister agree that the Committee is reacting rather abruptly in introducing a regulation before it is really necessary?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the EEC Scientific Committee for Food has recommended that, in the present state of knowledge, it would be prudent, when rapeseed oils are used for human consumption, for preference to be given to oils with low levels of long chain fatty acids such as erucic acid. However, this is very much at the discussion stage. We have kept in close touch with interested organisations and we shall have very much in mind the need to safeguard the interests of both consumers and food manufacturers.

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell us what this stuff is? When am I likely to eat it and what is it supposed to do to me?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, if the noble and learned Lord eats baked beans, puts salad cream on his salad and enjoys biscuits and perhaps margarine as well, he will be accepting some intake of this product.