§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study he has made of the risk to human or animal health from the emissions and their bacterial content from intensive poultry or animal rearing establishments; and what consultations he has had with public health authorities on this matter.
§ Mr. WigginMy Department has commissioned research work with the Agricultural Research Council on the risks to 185W human and animal health of spreading cattle and pig slurry and, in the same context, ventilation, dust and odour problems in intensive pig units. Work related to the treatment of slurry to reduce both the organic content and smell is also in hand.
There are standing arrangements which ensure that those concerned, including public health authorities, consult each other about these problems.