§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had on the system of a statutory declaration of ingredients in animal feedingstuffs since 1 December 1988; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderMy Department consulted widely on the European Commission's proposal made in June last year to make compulsory some form of ingredient listing on the labels of animal feedingstuffs to supplement the detailed information already required. Representations from the National Farmers Union and the United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association have been received among those of many other organisations, and consultation is continuing as the discussions in Brussels progress.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the use of farm excrement in compound feeds.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 14 February 1989]: The Diseases of Animals (Protein Processing) 266W Order 1981 requires all protein material of animal origin for animal feedingstuffs to be manufactured free from salmonella. I have at present no plans to do so. However, discussions are under way between my officials and representatives of the animal feedingstuffs industry to consider the application of the present controls and any further measures which may be needed to reduce salmonella contamination in feedingstuffs.