§ Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the risk that swine vesicular disease may be introduced in foreign-grown food brought by aircraft for providing meals for passengers or crews, the residue of which could be sold to feed pigs.
§ Mrs. FennerMy right hon. Friend is aware of the potential disease hazard to livestock in this country from waste food, including waste food from ships and aircraft. My Department's veterinary staff inspect and report on the methods of disposal of all waste food from ships and aircraft and from canteens and restaurants within the customs area at sea and airports and visit all plants which process waste food from such sources for animal feeding. The Diseases of Animals (Waste Foods) Order 1957 requires all waste foods to be boiled for at least an hour before being fed to animals and anyone collecting or receiving waste food from other premises must have his boiling plant licensed by the local authority.