HC Deb 26 March 1973 vol 853 cc239-40W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which antibiotics may not be fed to laying birds without veterinary prescription in the United Kingdom; and which of these are permitted to be added to the food of laying birds in each EEC country without such a prescription being required.

Mrs. Fenner

In the United Kingdom no antibiotics may be fed to laying birds without veterinary prescription. The use of the more important therapeutic antibiotics is similarly restricted in the EEC.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the extent of use of antibiotics in the food of laying poultry under veterinary prescription in Great Britain and in each of the countries of the EEC.

Mrs. Fenner

It is not possible to quantify the extent to which antibiotics are prescribed by veterinary practitioners for therapeutic use in the feed of laying poultry. However, indications are that such use is very restricted in Great Britain and I would expect a similar situation to prevail in other EEC countries.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which antibiotics are regarded by his veterinary service as most harmful if added to the food provided for laying poultry.

Mrs. Fenner

Penicillin, the tetra-cyclines, streptomycin and chloramphenicol are the principal therapeutic antibiotics whose usefulness would be diminished or would encounter problems of sensitisation if they were also in regular use in feed for laying poultry. These antibiotics are available in the United Kingdom only on prescription and their use in other EEC countries is similarly restricted.