Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inspections have been carried out(a) in 1987 and (b) in 1988 of protein processing plants making chicken feed; how many of these showed plants to be contaminated with salmonella; and how many prosecutions were brought under the Protein Processing Order 1981 against the infected plants.
§ Mr. RyderIn 1987, 83 statutory inspections were carried out and 21 cases of salmonella contamination recorded. So far in 1988, 135 inspections have taken place, with 17 cases of salmonella contamination. In each of these cases advice was given on how to eliminate the contamination and prevent recurrence. On re-inspection all samples of products from these contaminated plants were found to be clear of salmonella contamination and so no prosecutions were brought.
581WIn 1988 the policy has been to inspect each plant at approximately six-monthly intervals, with additional visits to those plants where problems have been found. We are currently considering introducing measures requiring plants to test each day's production for salmonella, and to make the results available to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated level of contamination of imported animal feedstuffs by salmonella; what powers his Department has to monitor and control such contamination; and whether he plans to seek to increase his powers in this respect.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonA very small proportion of compound animal feed is imported. The majority of imports are of the raw materials for incorporation into feeding stuffs.
Statutory controls apply to the importation of all animal protein requiring all imports to be licensed. Importations made in contravention of these controls may be required to be re-exported, destroyed or treated. Importations of animal protein are also monitored and samples are taken for testing for salmonella contamination. The overall contamination rate found in imported animal protein in 1987 was 28 per cent.
Discussions between representatives of the animal feeding stuffs industry and my officials are already under way to consider the application of the present controls and the need for any further measures to reduce salmonella contamination in feedingstuffs and their components.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the names and locations of the 21 protein processing plants that were inspected in 1987 and found to be contaminated with salmonella; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 12 December 1988]: Protein processing plants are subject to inspections under the Diseases of Animals (Protein Processing) Order 1986 to ensure that their product conforms with the required bacteriological standard and contains no salmonella. The 21 plants which were inspected in 1987 and failed these tests were given advice on overcoming their problems and when subsequently re-inspected were found to be meeting the required bacteriological standard.
In these circumstances prosecutions were not taken. Information on the identity of the plants concerned is a matter of commercial confidence.