§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the testing of pig liver pâté for Clenbuterol.
§ Mr. SoamesFollowing the publication in October 1993 of a report by Somerset county council that traces of Clenbuterol had been found in samples of pig liver pate manufactured in Belgium, sampling of pâté across the United Kingdom was increased under the retail animal products survey. Between September and November 1993, 71 samples of pig liver pâté, of which 48 were manufactured in Belgium, were purchased from retail outlets throughout the United Kingdom and screened for residues of Clenbuterol. The results of the first 25 samples, which showed no evidence of contamination with Clenbuterol, were announced in a written answer on 26 October 1993,Official Report, columns 562–63. Analysis of the remaining samples has been completed. None has shown any evidence of contamination with Clenbuterol.