§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he has set any safety levels for the presence of Cynox 425 in pigmeat;
(2) what tests he has carried out on pigmeat to assess the levels of Cynox 425; and if he will publish the results of those tests;
642W(3) what action he has taken to ensure that pigmeat contaminated with Cynox 425 did not reach the consumer; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what assessment he has made of the risks of the consumption of pigmeat contaminated with Cynox 425;
(5) when he first learned of the contamination of pig feed by Cynox 425 in Yorkshire and Hampshire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerCyanox 425 was first detected in suspect imported grain screenings by the central veterinary laboratory on 20 April as part of an in-depth investigation covering many possible categories of contaminants to determine whether any of them could be the cause of symptoms detected in adult sows and a few adult boars earlier in the year. No fattening stock was affected. In cases where sows had to be culled for welfare reasons the meat did not go into the human food chain. Pigmeat and fat from affected sows was analysed using gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry plus thin layer chromatography. These investigations indicated that Cyanox 425, although present in the feedingstuff, was not detectable in pig meat or fat. The European Commission's scientific committee for food has set a tolerable daily intake for this chemical at 0.025 mg/kg body weight; there is therefore no need for a separate United Kingdom level.
Investigations are continuing and we will consider publishing them when completed. I compliment my specialist staff on the remarkably successful detective work so far achieved.