§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will raise the animal welfare aspect of the Danish ban and German suspension of Avoparcin at the intergovernmental conference in Italy; if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the use of Avoparcin; and what actions the United Kingdom Government plan to take at the IGC on this issue. [22543]
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§ Mrs. BrowningThe availability of Avoparcin is controlled under directive 70/524/EEC. The Danish ban and German suspension have been taken in accordance with article 11 of the directive, and the data submitted by both member states are under urgent consideration by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Animal Nutrition. On the basis of the currently available scientific information, we do not believe that such prohibition action is justified, but the position will be reviewed in the light of the committee's scientific advice, which is expected in April. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate to raise this issue at the intergovernmental conference.