HC Deb 27 July 1964 vol 699 cc190-1W
Sir J. Eden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the nutritional value of barley beef as compared with other beef; if he is aware that it is totally lacking in flavour; and if he will take steps to ensure that when this beef reaches the shops it is clearly identified as such;

(2) what proportion of eggs now coming on to the market are produced from free-range hens and what proportion from battery systems; and if he will take steps to ensure that in the latter case they are clearly identified as such.

Mr. Soames

I am afraid that no information is available at present on the nutritional value of barley beef compared with beef produced by other methods. Flavour is a matter for individual taste and consumers form their own views.

About 34 per cent. of laying birds on agricultural holdings in England and Wales are managed on the battery system, about 44 per cent. in deep litter houses, and about 22 per cent. on free range or by other systems.

It would not be practicable to legislate for commodities at the retail stage to be marked by the system of husbandry under which they were produced.