§ Mr. Altonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning testing of the bovine somatotropine hormone on cattle in Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI have received representations from two organisations in Yorkshire against the use of bovine somatotropine. Current field trials are authorised under the Medicines Act 1968.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to whether milk produced by cattle being treated with the bovine somatotropine hormone is being delivered to creameries; and what research or monitoring is being done to the side effects of the consumption of such milk.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonTrials on cattle using this substance are being carried out under the authority of animal test certificates issued under the Medicines Act 1968. Had there been any doubts about the safety to consumers the certificates would not have been issued and the trials could not take place.
There is no requirement that milk from cows involved in the trials should be treated differently to that from other cattle either in the United Kingdom or, so far as I can ascertain, in any of the other countries where trials are being conducted.