§ Mr. Cryerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of current concern, he will make a statement on the nutritional quality standards of animals in the United Kingdom, with particular reference to the incidence of cancerous tumours in slaughtered animals.
§ Mr. StrangA survey of the nutritional value of food has been completed recently596W and will be published as soon as possible. As regards the incidence of cancerous tumours in slaughtered animals, statistics collected from a representative sample of red meat slaughterhouses show no significant trend. In no year during the period 1971–75 did total condemnation of carcases because of tumours exceed 10 per 100,000 cattle slaughtered and 3 per 100,000 sheep and pigs. Figures for poultry are not available. United Kingdom red meat regulations have the effect of requring the condemnation of the whole animal if evidence of a malignant tumour or tumours is found at post-mortem.