§ Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he has instituted, or plans to institute, prosecution against any individual or organisation for offences involving the sale of meat of questionable origin or condition or the substitution of beef, lamb or pork by the meat of animals which are not normally regarded as food species in the United Kingdom;
(2) if any meat from animals which are not normally regarded as food species has been sold directly or as processed meat during the last three years; and what action is taken to prevent such sales.
§ Mrs. FennerIt is an offence under the Food and Drugs Act to sell food which is not of the nature, substance or quality demanded or is unfit for human consumption. The practices to which the hon. Member refers could also involve offences under the Meat Inspection Regulations, the Imported Food Regulations and the Meat (Sterilisation and Staining) Regulations. I am in favour of strict enforcement of all this legislation by local authorities whose responsibility it is. Several prosecutions for offences involving unfit meat have been taken by local authorities in the last three years. If the hon. Member has any further evidence, I would be glad to receive it from him.