§ Dr. John Cunninghamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the United States Food and Drug Administration permits the use of 2-hydroxybiphenyl to treat citrus fruits; what test is used in the United States of America to check for its presence; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WigginThe use of 2-hydroxybiphenyl is permitted in the United States. I understand that the test used is similar to that prescribed in Council directive 67/427/EEC.
§ Dr. John Cunninghamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of citrus fruits imported into Great Britain has been treated with 2-hydroxybiphenyl; whether domestic growers also use this organic chemical; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WigginI regret that information on the first part of the question is not available. Domestic growers may use 2-hydroxybiphenyl subject to the conditions prescribed in the Preservatives in Food Regulations 1979.
United Kingdom and international expert advisory committees are satisfied as to its safety in use.
§ Dr. John Cunninghamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to change the test for levels of 2-hydroxybiphenyl on citrus fruits following advice given to Her Majesty's Government by the Association of Public Analysts, the Royal Institute of Chemistry and others that the test laid down by the EEC is useless.
§ Mr. WigginI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend302W the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) on 7 March.—[ Vol. 680, c. 376.]