Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation seeking to ban the practice of feeding chickens with the recycled carcases of slaughtered and dead chickens.
§ Mr. RyderI have no present plans to do so.
510WThe Protein Processing Order 1981 requires all animal protein for incorporation in animal feedingstuffs to be manufactured free from salmonella contamination. My officials routinely inspect all plants producing such protein to ensure that this requirement is met. Carcases of chickens which have died from disease are not used in animal feedingstuffs but are disposed of separately.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a new Government guideline which would include a more stringent health check system for egg production.
§ Mr. RyderI have recently introduced a new voluntary code of practice on the control of salmonella for poultry health scheme members. A copy of this document is deposited in the House of Commons Library. A code of practice for commercial egg producers has now also been agreed and is being issued. Further measures will be taken.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the statutory code of practice which includes control of feedstuffs and the handling of eggs by producers.
§ Mr. RyderI have recently introduced a new voluntary Code of Practice on the control of salmonella for poultry health scheme members. Also a code of practice for commercial egg producers has now been agreed and is being issued. A copy of this document is deposited in the House of Commons Library.
My officials are discussing with industry representatives details for codes of practice on the production of feedstuffs. Meanwhile general guidelines on the production of feedingstuffs will be issued. I am also reviewing the existing legislation controlling these areas, to ensure that they are being implemented as effectively as possible.