§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received to retain funding for the food research institute at Langford, near Bristol since the recent concern regarding salmonella and listeria in food; what his present intentions are for this institute; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderWe have received a number of representations from interested individuals concerning the funding of the research work on the manipulation of microbial flora of the gut of young chickens at the Agricultural and Food Research Council's food research institute at Langford. After an extensive review of all food microbiology research being funded by the Ministry, it was decided that this particular research was clearly at the stage of take-up and development by the poultry industry. The technique is already being applied on a trial basis by at least two British companies. In addition, an overseas company has applied for an import licence. The funds released are to be diverted to other important areas of the Ministry's extensive programme of research into microbiological food safety.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is responsible for research councils but I understand that directors of the AFRC's eight institutes have been asked to produce long-term plans for 847W reorganising their activities on to a smaller number of sites. The institute of food research will present to the AFRC options for the restructuring of its three laboratories on to two sites. The council will then make a decision based on a detailed analysis and appraisal of these options and taking full account of the scientific programme of the institute.