§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date avoparcin was first licensed for use in the feed of beef cattle over three months old; what were the Swann committee recommendations relating to feed antibiotics in calves(a) under three months and (b) over three months of age; on what date the Swann committee recommendations were first made; what factors determined the degree of consideration given by the Veterinary Products Committee to Swann committee recommendations prior to the issuing of a licence for cattle over three months old; and if he will make a statement. [20658]
§ Mrs. BrowningAvoparcin was first licensed for beef cattle over three months old on 20 July 1976.
A copy of the Swann committee's report is in the Library of the House. It is entitled: "Report of the Joint Committee on the use of Antibiotics in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine" and was published in November 1969. At that time the feeding of antibiotics, 625W without prescription, was permitted only for pigs and poultry. About the use of antibiotics in calves, the report said:
We recommend that 'feed' antibiotics conforming to paragraph 9.11 should be available without prescription for calves up to 3 months of age".The report made no recommendation for calves over three months of age.
The Veterinary Products Committee always takes account of the principles of the Swann committee's report when it considers the statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy, in considering applications for marketing authorisations for antibiotics.