HL Deb 06 December 1989 vol 513 c970WA
Lord Carter

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to lift the restrictions on animal movements resulting from lead contamination in animal feed.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)

Restrictions on animal movements have been introduced on those farms which have been identified as having received supplies of feedingstuffs contaminated with lead. 'The purpose of the restrictions is to ensure that produce from the affected farms can pose no threat to public health. Three schemes are now in place which provide for the removal of restrictions where it is safe to do so, following blood tests on the animals as necessary. A programme of monitoring and testing is taking place and as soon as it can be shown to be safe, provision will be made for further derestrictions. But our first priority must remain the safety of the consumer.