§ 25. Mr. Parkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce standards for meat products.
§ Mr. PeartYes. I am satisfied after considering the relevant reports of the Food Standards Committee that there is a real need to protect the consumer by prescribing standards governing the composition and labelling of meat products. Regulations on meat paste are in existence which are now being reviewed by the Committee, and I am hoping shortly to receive proposals for bringing them up to date. So far no regulations have been made implementing the Committee's recommendations on sausages, canned meat and meat pies, and I have today issued proposals for regulations to cover these and other meat products. My intention is that the proposals, which would be made jointly with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, would prescribe compositional standards and labelling requirements for canned meat, meat pies, sausages and other meat products. Similar proposals for regulations will be issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland.
228WIn accordance with the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, the proposals are being circulated for comments from interested parties. But I regard it as important that the regulations should be made as soon as possible and I shall do everything I can to this end.