§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he now intends to ban the use of animal protein, other than fish meal, for feeding poultry.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonAs I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Torridge and Devon, West (Miss Nicholson) on 19 January at column 314–15, I have no plans to do so. My officials have routinely inspected all protein processing plants to monitor their compliance with the Diseases of Animals (Protein Processing) Order 1981 which requires the manufacture of a salmonella-free product. A new statutory provision to stop the supply of salmonella-contaminated animal protein has been introduced recently and further control measures are under consideration.